A NURSE who accepted a stolen Starbucks mug from a paedophile while on a day trip from a psychiatric unit should be allowed to return to work, a watchdog has ruled.

Adele Mauback, a nurse at Kemple View, the low-security mental health facility at Langho, has been serving a 12-month suspension as a result of the incident.

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But the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has decided that, after completing a ‘return to work’ course, that Mauback can resume her career.

She was banned from practice over a incident in which she was escorting a patient, who had a history of sexual offending involving young boys, and he had been taken to a Starbucks.

She told the patient she would like to purchase one of their branded mugs and it later emerged, that the patient had stolen one.

The nurse didn’t challenge him over the theft but returned with him to the unit. The mug was dropped off at another coffee shop branch later.

Mauback, who was working for Partnerships in Care at the time, was later dismissed for gross misconduct.

Later it emerged that she had successfully applied for a registered nurse’s post at Calderstones NHS Foundation Trust without disclosing that she had been sacked.

A whistleblower raised concerns with the Whalley-based trust and Mauback was initially suspended, and then dismissed by Calderstones.

Last year the nurse was given a 12-month suspension after several fitness to practice charges against her were proved.

Ian Fraser, representing Mauback at an NMC review hearing, said his client accepted her misconduct and apologised. He said the nurse had provided ‘exemplary care’ to many patients and that her career was previously unblemished.

Panel chairman Mary Thomas ruled that she should be allowed to return, with conditions on her registration.