THE family of a pensioner punched by a care home nurse told yesterday how he used to cry in their arms with fear.

Alzheimer's sufferer Gordon Wake was hit and knocked to the ground at St John's nursing home, in Darlington, by employee Elizabeth Ann Nattrass.

Nattrass, 60, of Myrtle Grove, Trimdon Village, County Durham, had denied the assault charge and was previously cleared of the allegation by an internal tribunal held by the charity that runs the home, Community Integrated Care (CIC).

But last month she was found guilty at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court and yesterday, at Darlington, she was sentenced to a 150 hour community punishment order. She was also ordered to pay £280 in court costs.

The family of Mr Wake, who died in February, aged 75, spoke about the devastating effect of last year's assault and subsequent court proceedings.

His daughter, Jayne Allen, 33, said: "My mam is not coping at all. It was hard enough losing him, but with all this going on we haven't laid our father to rest - we are still grieving."

During the trial, magistrates heard how agency nurse Lorraine McCue saw Nattrass, who had been nursing for 25 years, strike the vulnerable father-of-six in the doorway of his room.

She said she heard Nattrass call him a "horrible, horrible man" before hitting him on the arm and knocking him to the floor.

Mr Wake's son Garry, 40, of Springwell Terrace, Darlington, said his frail father had lived in fear of Nattrass.

"He was petrified of her, he used to say she was nasty. Imagine if your father grabbed hold of you in fear and cried in your arms about that lady," he said.

"We feel we let him down because we were told by professionals that his behaviour was down to his illness, but he was the one who was speaking the truth."

Gerard Tomkinson, defending, said his client's actions had destroyed her career and good name.

"She realises the enormity of the difficulties she has caused, particularly to Mr Wake's family," he said.

CIC director Robert Black last night said the case had been regrettable.

"Ms Nattrass has been in nursing for many years and her performance in post was regularly monitored.

"Ms Nattrass has been suspended for some months, awaiting the outcome of the court case. This outcome will be discussed with Ms Nattrass at the earliest opportunity."