A NURSE who “lost self-control” when he tackled an elderly Alzheimer’s patient to the floor and shook him has been let off with a warning.

Joseph Montgomery, 50, was working at the Mapleford Nursing Home, Accrington, when he used excessive force to restrain the 80-year-old.

Montgomery straddled the patient on the floor and vigorously shook him backwards and forwards by his shoulders, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.

He was found guilty of misconduct for using excessive force but the NMC panel let him off with a three-year caution.

NMC chairman James Crowe said: “The panel has heard there have been no previous proc-eedings before this or any other panel.

“Mr Montgomery was said to be a good nurse, a hands-on nurse who had a good relationship with staff.

“The panel notes the nurse expressed regret and said that he could have dealt with the patient in another way. The panel is satisfied a three-year caution is sufficient and appropriate.”

Salim Hafajee for the NMC, said the nurse straddled the vul-nerable man in a fit of temper.

He said: “To have straddled a vulnerable patient in these circumstances and lost his temper shows the use of excessive force.

“Once patient A had fallen to the floor there was no particular need for him to straddle the patient, to have grabbed him by the neck and shoulders and have shaken him.

“This was excessive force by someone who didn’t need treating that way.”

Montgomery, of Great Harwood, had admitted he pinned the man down but denied the force was excessive.

In a letter to the hearing, Montgomery said: “There’s been no assault of patient A by myself or anyone else. I prevented him from falling to the floor heavily.

“I protected his head from injury while I was on the floor and attempted to calm him down. I didn’t shake him or shout at him at any time.

“I regret I didn’t deal with the situation as appropriately as I could have. I also felt particularly upset the patient was distressed.

“Unfortunately patient A passed away so I can never fully understand why this happened.”

Montgomery did not attend the hearing.