Mental health nurse carried out 'horrendous acts' on dementia patients in his care

A mental health nurse has been convicted after he abused the dementia patients he was suppose to protect in what police have called an ‘appalling and despicable case’.

More than 30 witnesses joined forces to help bring cruel nurse Alastair Quinn, 58, of Waldridge Road, Chester-le-Street, to justice.

Witnesses said Quinn knocked a elderly man to the floor on more than one occasion and told one witness he wished a patient ‘hurry up and die’ as he laid on his death bed.

Quinn denied the offences but on Thursday, December 19, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of eight charges of carer ill treatment/neglect of a person lacking capacity.

From 2012 to 2016, Quinn worked as a mental health nurse for a care home in the Birtley area. He was the nurse in charge of the 24/7 dementia care unit, caring for vulnerable and elderly residents.

But while in charge his treatment of vulnerable patients started to alarm fellow employees who say they witnessed a range of disturbing incidents.

One witness says she saw Quinn purposely knock an elderly man, who was harmlessly singing, to the floor.