A former care home worker faces being struck off over allegations of serious sexual misconduct.
Laurence Baltazar will go before a disciplinary panel following claims he pulled down a colleague’s trousers and underwear without her consent and whispered: “shush, shush, shush — you be quiet”.
The allegations against the 44-year-old were made while he was working as a care assistant at a care home in Perthshire.
The Scottish Social Services Council has called a fitness to practise panel to determine whether the claims are true and, if so, whether Mr Baltazar should continue working in the industry.
The public hearing will take place in Dundee later this month and is expected to run for three days.
According to SSSC papers, it is alleged that in December 2015, Mr Baltazar attempted to kiss a colleague — named only as ZZ — then told her: “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Please keep our secret. I feel so guilty.”
It is further alleged that two months later, Mr Baltazar attempted to kiss the same co-worker, put his hands on her shoulders and then turn her, so she was facing away from him.
Mr Baltazar is accused of pulling down the woman’s trousers and touching her private parts, while he kissed her neck.
The SSSC allege Mr Baltazar then heard someone coming along the corridor and said: “We’ll finish this later” before grabbing ZZ’s face and putting his tongue inside her mouth.
He then put his hand inside her tunic and touched her breast, it is claimed.
On both occasions, the council accuses Mr Baltazar of acting without the consent of his colleague and claims that his actions were sexually motivated.
Similar to a criminal court, the panel will listen to evidence before deciding if the allegations have been proved and if any sanction is necessary.
A spokesman for the care operator said: “This person is no longer a member of our staff. We can make no further comment at this time.”
The home was praised during a recent inspection — about a year after the allegations against Mr Baltazar — with assessors noting “very good” quality of staff and management.
