A DISGRACED mental health nurse who attacked and force fed vulnerable dementia patients has been struck of.

Alastair Quinn, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, worked at Covent House Care Home, in Birtley, and was in charge of the dementia care unit from 2012 to 2016.

When faced with confused or reluctant patients he committed callous acts including forcing a resident to the ground which led to her banging her head, and force feeding a resident by using a spoon to push food through clenched teeth.

He was convicted of eight counts of ill treatment and neglect to various residents at the home, in December 2019.

Witnesses told Newcastle Crown Court they had seen Quinn knock an elderly man to the floor by jumping on him and then grabbing his shoulder before using his leg to swipe away his feet.

Quinn was also accused of knocking over the same patient causing a cut on his head.

It was also reported that he said another patient on his death bed should "hurry up and die".

Other incidents included restraining patients unnecessarily and isolating them in their rooms for no reason.

The mental health nurse pleaded not guilty but a jury sentenced him to two years imprisonment in January 2020.

In a virtual hearing held recently by the The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), it was found that Quinn’s victims had common characteristics such as cognitive impairment, lacking capacity to respond or react, or an inability to communicate, protest or report the abuse.

A report published by the NMC about the latest hearing reads: "The panel concluded Mr Quinn has not demonstrated an understanding of the impact of the conviction and his behaviours on his victims, and also the longstanding impact on the victims’ families, or how this would negatively impact the profession and the NMC as a regulator.

"The panel had regard to Mr Quinn’s reaction to the jury’s verdict where he stated ‘I don’t accept the verdicts’. The panel therefore decided that due to the severity of the charges, and in the complete absence of insight or remorse, a finding of impairment is necessary on the grounds of public protection.

"The panel has considered this case very carefully and has decided to make a striking-off order. It directs the registrar to strike Mr Quinn from the register."