AN 84-year-old pensioner being cared for at a Gwent nursing home suffered a fractured collarbone, a fractured rib, bruising to the abdomen, chest and lower back as a result of alleged neglect by carers.

When the niece of Gladys Thomas saw the extend of her injuries, she says her aunt "looked as if she was dying".

These are the claims made during the opening of the trial where eight workers from the privately-run Bryngwyn nursing home, Newbridge stand accused of wilfull neglect.

Evan Green, 45, of Gaynors, Fairwater, Cwmbran; Angela Johnson, 47, of Hector Avenue, Crumlin; Shibu Joseph, 32, of Gaer Park Drive, Newport; Ebenezer Ajiwe, 48, of Woodlands Terrace, Abercarn; John Ajewole, 53, of Victoria Terrace, Abercarn; Peter Booth, 45, of Pen Y Fan Close, Pentwyn; Tahir Hayat, 30, of Coldra Road, Newport and Debra Richards, 45, of Brynawel, Bedwas, all deny the charge.

Prosecuting, Gerald Elias alleges the eight "failed in their duty" to Ms Thomas, who was admitted to the Royal Gwent hospital with extensive injuries on October 19 2005, where she died eight days later.

Ms Thomas had already been admitted to hospital in early October, just ten days after arriving at Bryngwyn, and was back at the home for one week before being re-admitted.

The pensioner suffered from schizophrenia, dementia, was not able to talk and required constant nursing care.

Newport crown court heard how previously, Ms Thomas was cared for at Cheltenham House, Swansea, which closed in September 2005 due to financial reasons.

She was then moved to the Bryngwyn on September 23.

Ms Thomas was admitted to the Royal Gwent on October 19 after staff at the care home called an ambulance reporting she was suffering from breathing difficulties.

On admission, staff at the hospital found she had suffered a fractured right collarbone, a fractured rib, bruising to the abdomen, chest and lower back as well as marks on her forearm which the prosecution said were consistent with ligature marks.

Ms Thomas' niece, Esme Williams, said she received a call from the hospital when her aunt was admitted and went with her brother.

She added that when she saw her aunt, she moved her nightie to look at her shoulder and saw some the injuries she had sustained.

"It was dark and purple bruise, she looked as if she was dying," she said.

Despite the extent of the injuries, the court heard that records at the home show no logs of incidents which could have caused them.

Proceeding