A WOMAN who was assaulted by a drug addict at a Worcester day centre claimed she was forced to quit her job after being given no support by her managers.

Karen Barker had worked at the Maggs Day Centre in Deansway for eight years until she was assaulted in February.

Heroin user Jason Baker, aged 37, wiped sweat from his face before rubbing his hand into Miss Barker’s face and putting his fingers in her mouth.

Baker denied the assault but was found guilty at Worcester Magistrates Court last week.

After the attack Miss Barker was too frightened to go back to work at the centre, which provides free support for drug addicts, homeless people and those stuggling with poverty or social isolation.

She said the decision not to ban Baker left her with no choice but to quit her job. The 46-year-old, of Barbourne, Worcester, added: “I was made to feel like I was making a fuss over nothing.

“The trustees refused to help or support me and said it was a matter between me and him.

“I had no choice but to leave, there was no way I would go back to work while he was still there, I didn’t feel safe. I was in tears afterwards, I was completely distraught.

“It is a dangerous job at the best of times but it is a fantastic place and needs to be kept running because it provides a great service and makes a difference for people in Worcester.

“It is just a shame the people running it don’t give the hardworking staff and volunteers the support they need.

“The people who are still working there are vulnerable. I don’t want something like this to happen to someone else – that is why I went to the police.

“People who are physically aggressive should be banned and need to be shown that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

In a statement, the trustees of the centre, said: “Maggs can’t comment on individual cases, however, it is Maggs policy to support all staff in all situations while still considering the need to provide a service to the city’s most chaotic and vulnerable clients.”

Baker will be sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 5.