Holywell Hospital care assistant who assaulted patient given suspended jail sentence
A hospital care assistant who assaulted a patient has received a suspended jail term.
At Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, Ross Barr (26), of Glenbank Drive, Belfast, was sentenced after earlier contesting but being convicted of an assault charge.
The assault happened at Holywell Hospital in Antrim in October in 2024.
The defendant had a previously clear record.
A defence barrister said it was unclear whether the injury was caused by a fall to the ground.
He said that ahead of the sentencing the defendant had been suspended from work and the incident "really will put an end to any future hopes of nursing".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the case was "clearly aggravated because he is in a position of trust and the victim was extremely vulnerable".
He added: "The last thing that any patient should expect is to be assaulted by those are are charged with looking after them and providing care."
He said it had been a conviction after contest and was a "very serious matter".
In light of the clear record, "albeit not without hesitation," the district judge said he was suspending a five months prison term for two years.