Carer from Johnstone struck off for 'serious' violent behaviour

Benjamin Semple, who was convicted of six offences during 2022, is now banned from the profession after a ruling by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

The first three offences took place in July 2021, when Mr Semple was employed as a care assistant at Lancefield Care Home, in Johnstone.

He was found guilty of conducting himself in a threatening and abusive manner at an address in Johnstone while breaching bail conditions.

During one of the incidents, Mr Semple cut himself with a knife he was brandishing, marked the walls with blood and struggled with police officers.

The other three offences took place at an address in Glasgow in July 2021, which saw Mr Semple seize a woman by the throat, throw a bottle at her and repeatedly kick her.

READ NEXT: Man appears in court charged with murder of Robert Fisher

The SSSC removed Mr Semple from its register – meaning he cannot work in the industry – after deciding neither a warning nor a suspension order was appropriate.

In a ruling issued to Ms Semple, it stated: "The behaviour is serious in that the public has the right to expect that the social service workers, in whom it places its trust and confidence will uphold the law and not engage in offending behaviour outside of work which would call into question their suitability to work in social services. 

"You have been convicted of the assault of [information redacted] on multiple occasions and of wilfully and recklessly damaging property and this was aggravated by the fact that you breached bail conditions. 

"Your convictions show a disregard for the law and falls far below the standard of conduct expected of a person registered with the SSSC. 

"Your convictions have the potential to adversely affect the public's trust and confidence in the profession."

READ NEXT: Abandoned shopping trolleys in Paisley blamed on cuts to bus service

It was stated that there was "an ongoing public protection risk" in respect of Mr Semple's behaviour that led to his convictions.

The report continued: "This together with your lack of insight and remorse and the high risk of repetition shown means that the SSSC has no reassurance in relation to your future behaviour. 

"A finding that your fitness to practise is impaired is required to maintain public confidence and uphold proper standards of behaviour.

"You failed to declare the criminal proceedings to the SSSC. 

"By taking steps to conceal your wrongdoing, we consider this to be highly concerning. 

"Your behaviour is serious, and the risk of repetition remains high."