A 17-year-old was punched so hard by a resident at a care home for people with learning and physical disabilities, that she fell to the floor.

Church House Care Home, in Harrietsham, has been advised by police on appropriate safeguarding measures following the assault in Teston Bridge Country Park.

Speaking to KentOnline, the care home, said such occurrences are "very rare" and all their activities are appropriately risk assessed.

The victim, former New Line Learning Academy pupil Katie Lambert, from Maidstone, is still suffering with migraine-like headaches after the punch and was left with a black eye and chipped tooth.

She has questioned how the assault was able to happen, as the man had been taken to the park by carers, as part of a larger group.

Ms Lambert said: "I had just got out of the car and we saw this man running. There was no threat at all, we didn't think anything of it.

"He was going straight on and then I saw the hand go up and by that time it was way too late. I didn't know who he was."

"He ran off and I was on the floor. Witnesses said he was punching the air and looked at me after about 15ft and punched in my direction."

Katie is only 5ft 1in and the man was approximately a foot taller, and his punch knocked her to the ground.

"At first I was shocked, I didn't really feel the pain as much. But when I was on the floor I could feel my nose swelling," she said.

Because of coronavirus restrictions, Katie, who works in a Chinese takeaway but hopes to be a hairdresser, had to wait in Maidstone Hospital alone for an x-ray on her nose.

Luckily nothing was broken but to start with, even bread was painful to eat because of her chipped tooth.

Katie says at least two carers were in the park but she cannot remember the exact number, because of the shock, but believes there were "not enough".

As soon as she was punched carers rushed to Katie to check on her, but she was later told by witnesses that the man remained in the park.

Katie reported the punch to the police, but it was not "deemed in the public interest to prosecute".

"I think something should be done with the care home. I wasn't bothered about him, it was the care home, they didn't really seem bothered. I haven't had anyone apologise," Katie added.

A spokesperson for the care home, which cares for eight people, and supports residents to move into supported living, said: "We are unable to discuss details of any individual we support but can confirm that we are aware of an incident that occurred at the park.

"Our understanding is that the incident was dealt with swiftly and reported to the relevant authorities who deemed that no further action was necessary.

"Occurrences such as this are very rare and all our activities and the supports we provide are appropriately risk assessed and delivered by trained and competent support workers.

"Whilst our support staff on the scene did speak to the member of the public involved at the time, we are of course very sorry for any distress or injury caused by the incident."

The care home did not respond when asked how many carers were with the group of residents on June 24.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "On 24 June 2020 a teenage girl reported being assaulted in Teston Country Park. The victim was struck in the face by a man who had been running in her direction.

"It was established the suspect had travelled to the park as part of larger group connected to a care facility, which provides care for people with acute learning and physical disabilities.

"The assault was investigated by local officers and following liaison with the care facility, where the suspect lives, it was not deemed in the public interest to prosecute.

"Officers have spoken to the victim and advised them of the decision and advice has also been given to the care facility around ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures are in place in the future."

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