Former carers sentenced over ill treatment of patients at County Durham hospital
Four men have been sentenced for the ill-treatment of patients at a specialist private hospital in County Durham.
Last updated 19th Jan 2024
Four men have avoided prison time, after being found guilty of the ill-treatment of patients at a specialist private hospital in County Durham.
They were working as carers at Whorlton Hall in Barnard Castle, looking after patients with complex needs.
The convictions followed a lengthy investigation by Durham Police’s Major Crime Team.
In 2019 the force received reports of the abuse of patients and immediately arrested Matthew Banner, Peter Bennett, Ryan Fuller and John Sanderson.
The judge has suspended all 4 defendants sentences, so none of them will be going to prison.
Banner, formerly of Newton Aycliffe, was found guilty of five charges, and given a 4 month sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Bennett was also given a 4 month sentence - also suspended for 18 months.
Fuller, of Deerbolt Bank, Barnard Castle, was sentenced to three months, suspended for 15 months.
And Sanderson was sentenced to six weeks, suspended for 12 months
All 4 will have to carry out unpaid work as well.
Whorlton Hall closed in 2019 and transferred patients to other services.
In May 2019, Durham Constabulary received reports of an impending documentary regarding the abuse of patients at Whorlton Hall.
Filming by an undercover reporter showed them verbally abusing and restraining patients, and discussing physically abusing them.
A criminal investigation was launched to respond promptly to the reports. At the same time, there was close multi-agency working to accommodate the patients safely.
Immediate action was taken and within 36 hours of the programme being aired, several carers employed at Whorlton Hall were arrested at their home addresses and interviewed by police.
Investigators from the force’s Major Crime Team worked through several months of camera footage during the inquiry, as well as significant amounts of documentary records and witness evidence.
Detective Chief Superintendent David Ashton, who led the investigation, said: “This was an extensive investigation into the mistreatment of vulnerable people who required specialist care. We hope that the conviction of those involved provides the patients and their families with some element of closure.
“As a force, we have worked closely with other agencies to prioritise the safety of those patients who, sadly, had suffered from the abuse which was exposed by the BBC Panorama documentary.
“The case raises concerns, particularly for those who have vulnerable relatives or friends who require specialist care. We hope that the successful prosecution of the defendants in this case gives confidence to anyone who may be concerned about abuse in a care environment to speak out and report such matters.”