FORMER deputy manager at a Wilmington care home has been found guilty of common assault on a 102-year-old resident.

Kate Ugochugwu, 59, denied force-feeding Henry Hobbins at Wilmington Manor Nursing Home in Common Lane at Dartford Magistrates' Court but was given a 24-month conditional discharge.

She was also ordered to pay £750 court costs at last week's two day trial.

Ugochugwu, from Barnehurst, had already been dismissed from nursing by BUPA and was referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council by police officers.

During the trial, the court heard colleagues from the care home saw Ugochugwu force-feed elderly Mr Hobbins in August last year but refused their pleas to stop.

She dismissed their worries instead insisting he needed to eat something and was making sure he did.

Detective Constable Sam Stuart from north Kent’s adult protection unit led the case against Ugochugwu.

She said: “The defendant was deputy manager of the home and head of its care and she abused that position of trust.

“Her actions left Mr Hobbins very distressed and I am pleased that the court found her guilty of this assault.

“It demonstrates that abuse such as this by any nurse or carer will not be tolerated and we will prosecute.”

Mr Hobbins died on February 2 but his death was not as a result of this incident.

Wilmington Manor Nursing Home declined to comment.

Deputy regional director for Bupa Care Services, Elaine Farrer said: “The welfare of our residents is always our primary concern.

"As soon as we discovered Ms Ugochukwu’s deplorable actions, we immediately suspended and later dismissed her.

"We informed the police and have actively supported their prosecution.

"We also referred her to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

“We welcome the court’s decision.

"Ms Ugochukwu’s behaviour was wholly unacceptable.

“We take these matters extremely seriously.

"We have policies and procedures in place and our staff are well trained to care for people with specialist needs.”