“MANIPULATIVE” nuns sacked an out-of-favour care assistant because she did not bend to their every whim, an employment tribunal heard yesterday.

Christine Sheldon was dismissed from St Mary the Virgin Convent, in Wantage, over claims from the sisters they were being neglected and not fed properly.

She claimed she was never told of the reasons for her dismissal and denied ever neglecting the nuns during her 17 year service at the convent.

Fellow care assistant Emma Nickerson who has worked at the convent since 2001, said while giving evidence yesterday: “(Some of) the Sisters were very lovely and sweet, but also quite manipulative.

“In relation to the allegations made against Christine Sheldon, I never knew any lack of professional care on her part.

“I never knew her not to report any serious incidents.

“The sisters would often forget who had fed them and cared for them and it could be quite difficult.”

She added: “I didn’t agree with the way things were done and I don’t think the claimant was treated fairly.”

Mrs Nickerson told the tribunal, in Reading, some of the nuns would specifically ask for certain care assistants if they were “in favour”.

Mrs Sheldon said she was never told the reasons why she was dismissed from the convent, where she was employed to look after nuns as old as 102 years.

Reverend Mother Winsome claimed Mrs Sheldon, from Grove, failed to properly care for the Sisters, adding that there was a culture of mistreatment.

The allegations made against Mrs Sheldon were that she created an atmosphere of fear, bullying and intimidation which led to one elderly nun, Sister Margaret Jean, not being fed.

At a previous hearing in April, Mrs Sheldon said the reason for her dismissal from the cash-strapped convent was economic.

She denied all allegations of neglecting the nuns.

Barrister Gareth Graham, speaking on behalf of Mrs Sheldon, said during his final submissions: “It seems to me that this is a case about whether the claimant is a part or not of the alleged misconduct. There is a distinct lack of evidence in regard to her (Mrs Sheldon).”

The case was adjourned until today.