NMC – Allegations of Assault and Attempted Murder

The Registrant, who was in charge of a secure mental health facility, was accused of violently assaulting, beating, and attempting to smother several vulnerable patients in her care. While the case had been prosecuted criminally, the CPS decided not to proceed, prompting the regulator to pursue the same allegations. Four eyewitnesses to the alleged abuse—care staff working on the ward—were called to support the claims. However, during cross-examination, it emerged that the allegations were made only after one of the four, who were all close friends, came under suspicion for serious misconduct and feared the Registrant might be a witness against her. The panel concluded that their evidence was inconsistent, weak, and lacked credibility. At the conclusion of the regulator’s case, a submission of ‘no case to answer’ was granted on all counts, and the Registrant was fully exonerated.

What this means if you’re facing similar allegations

The most serious allegations can still collapse where the underlying evidence is inconsistent or motivated by collusion. Rigorous cross-examination and scrutiny of witness credibility can expose weaknesses that lead to a no-case-to-answer outcome. If you face grave allegations, the reliability of the evidence against you should never be taken at face value.

Facing a NMC case? Learn more about our Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) defence services, or contact us for a free case evaluation.