The key support worker for a Suffolk man with learning difficulties has told a court of the moment she uncovered an alleged sexual relationship between him and her colleague.

Naomi Richards was sacked after the alleged victim showed his key support worker inappropriate messages from her on his phone, Ipswich Crown Court had previously heard.

Matthew Sorel-Cameron, prosecuting, has claimed that Richards sexually touched the man, who was in his 30s, while she was working as a support worker in the supported accommodation in Bury St Edmunds where he was living.

Richards, 33, of St Edmunds Road, Stowmarket, has denied engaging in sexual activity with a mentally ill man in her care between May and June 2019 while she was a support worker.

She has also denied a second charge of inciting the alleged victim to engage in sexual activity.

Key care worker Donna Goodman described the moment she uncovered the alleged sexual relationship.

Mrs Goodman said the man was in the garden on his phone at the accommodation and “looked worried” in June 2019 and she asked him if he was okay.

He said he had done something wrong and handed Mrs Goodman the phone, and she found hundreds of messages of a “very sexual” nature, the court heard.

The alleged victim said the messages were from the defendant, according to Mrs Goodman.

The support worker screenshotted these texts and sent them to her manager, Angela Lark, who confronted Richards with printouts of the images.

Mrs Lark said the defendant burst into tears when faced with the messages.

Some of the texts were read out to court and the defendant is alleged to have written: “Remember don’t tell anyone that you have my mobile number xxx”, “I don’t want you getting into any trouble because of me baby” and “I can’t sleep because I’m thinking about you”.

The trial continues, with closing speeches expected to be made on Thursday.