A nurse was found guilty yesterday of punching a 74-year-year-old patient suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Elizabeth Ann Nattrass called Gordon Wake a "horrible man" before striking him on the shoulder and knocking him to the ground at St John's nursing home, in Darlington, last September, Bishop Auckland magistrates were told.

The 59-year-old, 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 which runs the home, Community Integrated Care (CIC).

The family of Mr Wake - who died in February, aged 75 - expressed their relief at the guilty verdict and said they were considering taking legal action against CIC.

Speaking after the case, his son, Garry Wake, said: "We placed my dad in care for his own safety. Because of the Alzheimer's we thought it was the best thing for him and my mam, Annie.

"He complained about this woman before but we were assured he was confused.

"This has dragged on for a year, we wish she (Nattrass) had pleaded guilty back in September but now at least the magistrates have convicted her. We will seek legal advice about civil action."

Earlier in the trial, agency nurse Lorraine McCue told how she saw Nattrass strike the father-of-six in the doorway of his room.

She said she heard Nattrass call him a "horrible, horrible man" before hitting him.

"Gordon had his fists up, he was angry and that was when she punched him, it was on the arm, but he went back straight away, he went down on the floor.

"I was so shocked, I was rooted to the spot, I remember not being able to move. Gordon didn't do anything, he looked so frightened. "I have never witnessed a nurse do that in 24 years of nursing.

"There are other ways, diversion tactics we are trained to use with difficult patients. He was an old man and she punched him with such force he went backwards and landed on his bottom."

Gerard Tomkinson, defending, said that Alzheimer's disease had made Mr Wake aggressive towards staff and patients and easily startled by loud voices or people creeping up on him.

On the day of the assault, Nattrass claimed another resident had been in Mr Wake's room and upset him and that she had held his hands to calm him down.

Mr Tomkinson said: "Mrs Nattrass has been in nursing for almost 25 years without any cause for concern and she is of previous good character.

"Medical evidence shows that there was no bruising or signs of pain which would be expected after a punch."

Mr Tomkinson said that if convicted, Nattrass would lose her job.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports until September 14, at Darlington Magistrates' Court.

No one from CIC was available for comment before The Northern Echo went to press last night.