Nurse faces end of career for assaulting patient in karate playfight
A nurse slapped an 87-year-old woman patient in the face during a karate chopping play fight, a tribunal heard today.
Balasajeev Kumar left the dementia sufferer with a black eye at Connolly House Independent Mental Health Hospital, Weeley, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.
He was pretending to have a karate fight with a colleague when the woman, who had been the victim of domestic abuse, believed the fight was real.
The woman hit Kumar on the back of the neck, he turned, paused and then ‘backhanded’ her in the face, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.
Bo Kay Fung, for the NMC said: ‘He was walking her through he lounge area when he stopped and started to make karate hand movements towards a support worker.
‘They began to play fight and the resident hit Mr Kumar on the back of the neck.
‘She may have perceived the play fighting as a violent altercation.
‘He turned around and paused before backhanding her in the face.’
The elderly lady suffered a black eye and swelling to the face, the hearing was told.
Kumar was convicted of common assault at Colchester Magistrates Court on January 26 2016.
He was given 150 hours unpaid work, had to pay £150 compensation and £60 victim surcharge.
The charge against Kumar, who is present at the hearing, was admitted and found proved by reason of his conviction.
He denies that his current fitness to practice is impaired.
The hearing is due to conclude tomorrow (Friday).
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