The case in question, which followed a BBC Panorama investigation, saw nine former staff at Whorlton Hall in County Durham face a total of 27 charges. While five of those on trial were cleared, prosecutors claimed that the defendants had shown “contempt” for and mocked patients, leading to a guilty verdict for the remaining four.

Those found guilty were:

Peter Bennett, 53, of Billingham was found guilty of two charges and cleared of one.

Matthew Banner, 43, of Newton Aycliffe, was found guilty on five counts and cleared of one.

Ryan Fuller, 27, of Barnard Castle was found guilty of two counts but cleared of eight.

John Sanderson, 25, of Willington was found guilty of one but cleared of another.

Despite lawyers for the defendants arguing that they had been doing their best in difficult circumstances, the evidence presented in court showed a clear pattern of ill-treatment and abuse towards some of the most vulnerable individuals in society.

The fact that the hospital was privately run but funded by the NHS further raises questions about the accountability and regulation of care services in the UK.