AN 86-YEAR-OLD man died after an altercation with a fellow resident in a dementia care home, an inquest heard.

A major police investigation was launched after Derek Pounds suffered head injuries during the incident in The Aldbury in Ringwood Road, Poole.

Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin was told Mr Pounds fell backwards and hit his head on a wall, suffering a head injury, on March 28 this year.

The great-grandfather was treated for his injuries but died on April 12.

A post mortem examination revealed he died of "bronchial-pneumonia complicating a head injury." A secondary cause was given as Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy.

The Bournemouth inquest heard Dorset Police are conducting a full inquiry. A decision has been made that it is not in the public interest to pursue with criminal proceedings.

Mr Pounds was a retired live linesman, meaning he maintained electrical equipment when the equipment was energised.

He leaves his wife, Irene, as well as one daughter, three sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A spokesman for Dorset Police told the Daily Echo: "We can confirm that we carried out an investigation into the circumstances of the death. No arrests were made and no charges brought."

The Aldbury is one of 20 homes run by Ringwood-based Colten Care.

It was rated as Good following its latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission in June last year.

The CQC awarded the rating in the categories of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Mark Aitchison, Chief Executive, Colten Care, said: "We have expressed our deepest condolences to the family of one of our residents who sadly passed away in hospital. His admission to hospital followed an unforeseeable incident at our Poole dementia care home, The Aldbury, in April.

"As per local safeguarding policy, the home informed the local safeguarding team to seek their advice on steps to take following the incident. On their advice we contacted the police who began making their own enquiries. Dorset Police has now confirmed that, following an investigation into the circumstances of the death, no charges were made and no further action taken.

"At the time of the incident we also notified the care sector regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which advised that in its view that the unusual set of circumstances did not constitute an ‘avoidable incident’ from a care management point of view, nor were there any breaches of regulations."

Sarah Webb, Service Manager for Adult Social Care at Poole council, said “While ahead of the inquest we are not in a position to comment on this case, it is important to stress that the Borough of Poole council does have processes in place to safeguard vulnerable adults.

"Concerns that someone with care or support needs may have come to harm are always investigated, often with partners such as Dorset Police and the Care Quality Commission.

"The standards of local care homes is something that we take very seriously and we will take steps to respond to any allegations of unsafe practice."