A SENIOR carer accused of ill-treating autistic children at a residential unit told a court that bullying was against his ethos.

Laurence Donkin, 44, faces seven counts of cruelty to children in his care over a period of about a dozen years at the unit, part of Sunderland's Thornhill Park School, catering for youngsters with autism from across the country.

Durham Crown Court has heard that two carers raised concerns over Mr Donkin's actions with the new principal of the unit in March 2001.

In evidence, Mr Donkin went through each of the seven allegations and explained his actions.

In one case, it was said he took an autistic boy, who had dribbled on his pyjamas at night, to a quiet part of the school to "administer punishment".

The court heard that a member of staff walked into the unit laundry to see the boy's head striking a wall, when only Mr Donkin was in the room with him.

John Evans, prosecuting, said to Mr Donkin: "You lost your temper. The idea was to administer some form of punishment to the boy.

"If not, why take him on your own?"

Mr Donkin said: "I am not sure. I cannot remember."

Mr Donkin told the court that bullying was "at odds with everything I believe in".

The court heard character references which told of Mr Donkin's voluntary work with adults with learning disabilities and his patient nature with children.

Mr Donkin, 44, of Brockenhurst Drive, Hastings Hill, Sunderland, denies the charges.

The case continues.