Julie Palin at Oswestry Magistrates Court

The manager of a Shropshire care home has been spared jail after being convicted of ill-treating a mentally disabled patient.

Magistrates heard from 40-year-old Julie Palin’s solicitor that the care professional had lost “absolutely everything” after being convicted yesterday.

Oswestry Magistrates Court heard that Palin had dragged 41-year-old patient Alison Broad along the hallway floor by her wrist during an incident at Gracelands Residential Home, Ellesmere Road, Whittington, on January 26 last year.

Palin, of Birch Close, Ruyton-XI-Towns, also grabbed and ripped Miss Broad’s top and pulled her back so hard she almost fell over and struck her head on a radiator, the court heard.

Palin, who is five months pregnant, was later seen sitting on the floor, with the hallways lights switched off, with her leg over Miss Broad’s to restrain her.

After a two-day trial, Palin was convicted by magistrates of ill-treating or wilfully neglecting Miss Broad.

She was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and a 12-month supervision order. She must also pay £500 compensation to Miss Broad.

Palin denied the allegation, claiming the accusation was “a put-up job” by employees Victoria Pugh and Emma Preece.

She denied being at the home on January 26 last year. She said she had been at her home until about noon, before driving to see her mother in Telford. Palin said they then went shopping and bought a present for her great-niece and dropped off the present in Telford at about 3pm.

June Palin, Palin’s mother, of St Georges, Telford, supported her daughter’s version of events.

But magistrates said they felt Palin’s alibi was not “feasible” given the time-scale in which she claimed to have done everything.

Mr Paul Nicholas, for Palin, said: “She has lost absolutely everything. She has lost her job. She has lost any chance of working in this field again. She knows nothing else except working in the caring profession.

“She will become a single mother on state benefits.”

Bosses at the care home today welcomed the sentence.

A spokesman said: “We welcome the verdict which sends a clear message that the mistreatment of vulnerable adults will not be tolerated. 

“This court case resulted from the actions of one individual and does not reflect the safe and caring environment at the home, which is staffed by a team of dedicated professionals. Following our internal disciplinary procedures the person involved was suspended.”

By Iain St John