TWO carers who ill treated a severely autistic patient being treated at a secure unit in Calderstones have been given suspended prison sentences.

Preston Crown Court heard how Jonathan Wayne Cook, 41, kneed victim Norman Taylor in the arm while he was being restrained and also flicked him behind the ears.

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Prosecutor Lucy Wright said in a separate incident Michael Mercer, 48, slapped Mr Taylor to the side of the head on the ears with an open hand ‘around eight times’.

The court was told Mr Taylor had extremely sensitive ears which were susceptible to infection.

Miss Wright said the incident involving Wright happened on July 1, 2014, while Cook’s assault happened on September 5, 2014. Both were witnessed by other members of staff.

The court heard Mr Taylor was a ‘difficult patient’ and prone to violent episodes and both defendants had been subject to attacks by patients.

But Judge James Adkin, who revealed there had been 178 assaults on staff at the Whalley-based hospital in 2014, told Cook and Mercer that it was no excuse for their abuse.

He said: “Mr Taylor could be violent and difficult. That is no excuse for abusing the trust in you to look after that particular patient.

“Fortunately there is no evidence Mr Taylor was injured by these activities or that he was distressed by what had happened. The incidents, whilst serious didn’t have any impact on the complainant.

“Arguably the unit Mr Taylor was in was not entirely appropriate. He has now been moved to a different, more secure unit.”

The court was told Cook, of Moss Street in Great Harwood, had 13 years experience in the care industry, while Mercer, of Towerhill in Clitheroe, had seven.

Both men have since found alternative employment, although not in the care industry.

Jonathan Savage, defending Cook, said: “The impact of the conviction is going to have a long-term impact on him because he’s unable to work in the area of care which he had dedicated his life to until his dismissal in 2014.”

Mr Savage said his client had only been able to find manual work on half the pay he was on at Calderstones.

Huw Edwards, defending Mercer, said: “My client has no previous convictions. He is employed. He provides for five children, the youngest of which is five and the oldest 18.

“A custodial sentence would mean he would lose that employment and the support he provides for his children.”

Cook was found guilty on two counts of ill-treatment and Mercer was found guilty on one count of ill-treatment.

Warning them they would never work in the care industry again, Mr Adkin sentenced them to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. They must also pay a victim surcharge.

Mr Adkin said: “There is no prospect of you working in this industry again. Your cases will be scrutinised by the authorities who run the Barred list.”

A third man, Mark Norman Campbell, 27, of Blossom Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, was cleared of one count of ill-treatment after trial.

Speaking after the case, DC Matt Capper said: “Both Cook and Mercer took advantage of the victim’s lack of capacity and vulnerability when they were in a position of trust.

“They had a duty of care but they neglected their basic responsibilities, for which they should be utterly ashamed.”