A care worker who kicked an elderly resident with dementia put his head in his hands and said "I don't know" when asked why he did it.
Christopher Ryan was found guilty of ill-treatment following the incident at College Green Care Home, last October.
The 50-year-old was convicted at Sefton Magistrates Court.
Ryan, who had worked at the home for over six years and had no previous disciplinary issues, was showering another male resident when the incident happened.
The woman, who suffers from dementia and is frail, had been trying to open the door of the shower room, which could not be locked for safety reasons.
Ryan, of Alexandra Court in Litherland, initially told the woman to go away but then kicked out at her, leaving a red mark on the top of her leg.
A fellow care worker heard the resident cry out in pain and asked Ryan what he had done.
He put his head in his hands and said, “I know, I know, I just don’t know.”
Another care worker had earlier gone to help also witnessed Ryan kick his victim.
And following the incident his colleagues reported him to the manager on duty and Ryan was later suspended and then sacked.
Ryan claimed he couldn't have kicked her on her upper leg as mobility issues meant he couldn’t raise his leg more than six inches off the floor.
But at a trial, Ryan was found guilty of the offence of ill-treating a person in his care.
Angie Rowan, of Mersey Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a sad case.
"The victim’s husband sat in throughout today’s proceedings.
“Before this incident, the care home had not had any disciplinary issues with Mr Ryan. He has been a care worker for 22 years in total.
“It’s not clear what made him kick out at such a vulnerable old woman in this way.
"The residents at the care home all have dementia and need sensitive and extensive care.
“Mr Ryan made matters worse by denying what he had done and then trying to blame the victim.
“Most carers do excellent work in very difficult circumstances and thankfully, cases like this are rare.
"But it’s important that this behaviour is not tolerated and that those who do this sort of thing to the most vulnerable people in our communities face the consequences.”
Sentencing was adjourned until 30 July while reports are completed on Ryan.
