A CARE home nurse accused of having sexual contact with two pensioners has been cleared by his regulating body.

Matthew Tomlinson was an 18-year-old carer when nurse Lynne Cooper claimed she found him lying on top of 'resident A' with his pants down and her nightgown hitched up over her hips.

Tomlinson later left his job at the BUPA-run Old Gates care home in Blackburn in 1999.

Following the incident, another woman in her seventies, known as resident B, came forward and claimed her sexual relations with Tomlinson lasted four months.

Tomlinson, who is now 29 and a qualified nurse, went on to work for Calderstone NHS Trust in 2001.

He was referred to his regulating body when the allegations came to light following a Crime Record Bureau check in 2007.

But, as there was no police conviction or internal disciplinary hearing, the NMC panel ruled there was not enough evidence to find the charges proved.

NMC chair Evis Samupfonda said: "The panel has carefully scrutinised all the evidence in relation to this allegation but is not satisfied that the facts have been proved to the requisite standard.

"There was a clear conflict between the evidence of Ms Cooper and the written account furnished by the registrant.

"Whilst the registrant accepted that an incident did occur on the 6th of June, 1999 when he was discovered on the bed of resident A, he denied that he was partially clothed, on top of resident A, or engaged or attempting to engage in sexual activity with resident A.

"Having carefully listened to Ms Cooper give evidence, the panel were not persuaded to the requisite standard by her evidence. At times it was vague and also inconsistent."

Ms Samupfonda said the NMC's case for the second allegation 'was based entirely on hearsay'.

She said: "The panel found this evidence lacking in probative value, as the relevant conversation had taken place three years after the alleged sexual relationship.

"Notwithstanding the seriousness of these allegations no further action was taken at the time by the police or the employer."

Tomlinson, of Blackburn, did not attend the hearing nor was he represented.

He is now free to continue practising without restriction.