A “BULLYING” nursing home matron who intimidated elderly residents in her care by playing pranks on them can continue to work, officials ruled yesterday.

Maureen Sheikh, 61, of Washington, Wearside, was found guilty yesterday by a Nursing and Midwifery Council panel of playing practical jokes to intimidate patients and colleagues at St Mary’s Nursing Home, in Chesterle- Street.

Sheikh, who lost her job but now manages another home, was given a five-year caution order, but was not struck off.

The panel was told her doctor husband could not find work because of publicity about the case and that the family would struggle if she was banned.

Panel chairman Pamela Ormerod said Sheikh had demonstrated an “uncaring and ambivalent nature” and her behaviour was “seriously deficient”.

Sheikh had “displayed indifference for the welfare and wellbeing of her residents and staff,”

said Ms Ormerod.

“In relation to the abuse of residents, the panel considers it was highly disreputable behaviour and caused distress to a number of residents in her care,” she added.

But she added that Sheikh was working as a nursing home manager without cause for concern.

She said: “Mrs Sheikh has a very long career in nursing which, until these events, was without blemish.

“A more severe sanction could be justified based on the behaviour displayed, however it would be disproportionate in all the circumstances.”

The panel heard that in one incident Sheikh called on the home’s tannoy for the “Chesterle- Street jazz band” to go to the office.

Staff then appeared banging pots and pans and blowing party hooters.

They did the same again the next day outside a resident’s room.

Sheikh, who worked at St Mary’s for 11 years, told the hearing she had the greatest of respect for the residents and that the jazz band incident had been to entertain them.

The panel also found she deliberately put residents together who would not get on, made hoax calls to colleagues and failed to investigate a staff member’s assault allegation.

Due to insufficient evidence, the panel earlier threw out an allegation that she had highpitched sounds transmitted over the tannoy.