Images of four people found guilty of the neglect and ill treatment of patients in their care a Durham hospital have been released.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have released images of the four men convicted at Teesside Crown Court today (Thursday, April 27).

Read more: GUILTY: Four former care workers GUILTY of ill-treating patients at Whorlton Hall

They had been employed at Whorlton Hall, an independent specialist hospital unit in Barnard Castle, which accommodates adults with severe mental health issues and learning disabilities.

Some of the offending had been brought to light after being captured on camera by a reporter working for the BBC’s ‘Panorama’ programme, who posed undercover as a support worker at the hospital in late 2018 and early 2019.

The court heard how one female patient had been threatened with being assigned male carers against her expressed wishes, even when sufficient female staff were available.

In other instances, patients were threatened with the removal of their personal belongings and were mocked for having communication difficulties. On some occasions, patients were even encouraged by staff members to fight them.

Christopher Atkinson, head of the complex casework unit for CPS North East, said: “Those convicted today had a duty of care for patients who, due to significant mental health issues, were wholly dependent on their support every day of their lives.

“It is clear from the evidence in this case that there were occasions where the care provided by those convicted was not only devoid of the appropriate respect and kindness required, but also crossed the line into criminal offending.

“The Crown Prosecution has worked closely with Durham Constabulary from the early stages of this complex investigation to build a robust case against those convicted today.

"We will continue to work alongside our police partners to protect the most vulnerable who, whether due to their mental of physical capacity, are unable to protect themselves.”

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Ryan Fuller, 26, of Deerbolt Bank, Barnard Castle, was guilty of two counts of ill-treatment of a person in care.

John Sanderson, 25, of Cambridge Avenue, Willington, was found guilty of one count of ill-treatment of a person in care.

Peter Bennett, 52, of Redworth Road, Billingham, was found guilty of two counts of ill-treatment of a person in care.

Matthew Banner, from Faulkner Road, Newton Aycliffe was found guilty of five counts of ill-treatment of a person in care.

Five further defendants were acquitted of all ill-treatment charges against them: Karen McGhee; Sabah Mahmood; Niall Mellor; Sarah Banner; Darren Lawton.