A BULLYING nurse who hurled abuse at two mentally ill patients when they refused to carry our their chores has been cautioned by a conduct committee.

Paul Lloyd, 43, pinned one patient over a food trolley and another against kitchen cupboards, the hearing was told.

The incidents happened in 1999 and 2000 at The Poplars Unit, Tow Law, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, where Lloyd was employed as a staff nurse.

The nurse sobbed as he was cautioned after the Nursing and Midwifery Council found him guilty of misconduct.

Lloyd had worked at the unit from 1994 until his dismissal in January last year.

He had an unblemished career but will have to tell future employers for the next five years of his reprimand.

Chairman Eunice Foster told him: "The committee have decided your name should not be removed from the register.

"These were isolated incidents due to your medical circumstances.

"You should appreciate that being found guilty of misconduct is a very serious matter and the committee cannot condone or excuse your behaviour".

In mitigation, Lloyd said he was under "catastrophic" pressure due to staff shortages at the unit and later underwent psychiatric treatment for stress.

He explained he lost his temper with one patient at a time when the resident's behaviour was deteriorating.

The nurse told the hearing: "It was disgraceful.

"At first I didn't have any awareness that I had done anything wrong.

"When the allegations were made I was deeply ashamed of myself and blamed myself 100 per cent".

He said he was not mentally fit to continue nursing but hoped to return to the profession in the future.

Lloyd added: "I hope I will recover the way I used to be - I was a very motivated and committed nurse and it was something I was very good at."

He wept as the committee made its ruling and left the hearing without comment.