A CARE worker is to stand trial charged with trying to kill two elderly patients at a hospital.

Calum Knox, 29, today faced the allegations during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

He is accused of attempting to murder Ann Reid, 81, and Susan Reid, 73, in a ward at a Crosshouse Hospital, in July last year.

Prosecutors claim he exposed each to the “risk of aspiration”.

It is alleged he placed Ann Reid on her back and did “syringe” liquid into her mouth.

He is said to have removed the oxygen mask of Susan Reid five days later and poured liquid into her mouth.

The indictment states both women have since died.

Knox, of Ayr, faces a separate charge of neglecting each and three other elderly patients.

It is claimed that “being a care worker” he did fail in a number of aspects.

This allegedly includes leaving the ward for “excessive periods of time” as well as falsifying records and lying to senior staff in respect of his care of patients.

Knox faces seven more charges of assaulting OAPs.

He allegedly attacked an 81 year-old woman at Crosshouse by poking her in the ribs.

The other assaults are said to occurred at Windyhall Nursing Home in Ayr.

The pensioners – who have all since passed away – were aged between 86 and 95 at the time.

The claims include striking one man on the head, causing another to fall to the floor and spraying water in the face of a woman.

Lorenzo Alonzi, defending, today pled not guilty on his behalf.

The advocate said: “I am in a position to have a trial fixed.”

Lady Scott set a trial due to begin next February. The case could last eight days.

Bail for Knox was continued meantime.