The director of a Panorama investigation which uncovered serious allegations of abuse at a specialist hospital unit has told jurors that the undercover reporter had received training prior to taking the job.

Olivia Davies used covert camera equipment to record her time working at Whorlton Hall in County Durham before handing over the footage to her BBC team.

As a result of the operation, nine members of staff were charged with a total of 27 offences after a reporter used a hidden camera while working in the 17-bed independent unit for people with complex needs near Barnard Castle.

Joe Plomin, who had regular contact with the undercover operative during her 38 days working at the Hall, told jurors that Olivia Davies had worked undercover before and had recorded around 200 hours of footage.

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The director and producer said Miss Davies would regularly carry out 12-hour shifts at the home working alongside the nine people in the dock.

The Northern Echo: Whorlton Hall, near Barnard Castle.Whorlton Hall, near Barnard Castle.

Earlier in the trail, Miss Davies said she accepted that it was difficult to learn all of the patients’ notes and conceded Whorlton Hall was a difficult place to work.

When asked why improvements she believed could have been made at the time, she replied: “Better support for the support workers.”

They deny all the charges, which stem from covert filming of staff and patients in early 2019.

The defendants are:

  • John Sanderson, 25, of Cambridge Avenue, Willington, who faces two charges of ill-treatment of a person in care;
  • Darren Mark Lawton, 47, of Miners Crescent, Darlington, who faces two counts of ill-treatment of a person in care;
  • Niall Mellor, 26, of Lingmell Dene, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, is accused of two counts of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Sarah Banner, 33, from Faulkner Road, Newton Aycliffe, is accused of three counts of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Her husband Matthew Banner, 43, of the same address, is charged with six counts of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Ryan Fuller, 26, from of Deerbolt Bank, Barnard Castle, faces ten charges of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Sabah Mahmood, 27, of Woodland Crescent, Kelloe, is charged with one count of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Peter Bennett, 52, of Redworth Road, Billingham, faces three counts of ill-treatment of a patient;
  • Karen McGhee, 54, from Wildair Close, Darlington, who faces two counts of ill-treatment of a patient and one of wilful neglect.

The case continues.