Nurse guilty of poisoning patients

Phillip Reed denied all charges

A nurse could face a lengthy jail sentence after being found guilty of two charges relating to poisoning and ill-treating patients.

Philip John Reed, from Caerphilly, was found guilty by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court of administering poison with intent to endanger the life of David Parker.

He was also found guilty of ill-treating Ken Edwards at the Bedwellty nursing home in Aberbargoed in the Rhymney Valley.

The judge - who remanded Reed in custody for sentence - said he was concerned at the long hours nurses worked.

His concerns were echoed by Richard Jones, deputy secretary of the Royal College of Nrusing in Wales.

The court had heard Reed often worked 12-hour shifts at Tonteg Hospital before working a night shift at the nursing home.

Mr Justice Thomas said he was concerned about regulations for the care of elderly patients in hospitals and homes.

Earlier the jury had cleared the 43-year-old of a charge of ill-treating another elderly patient at the home.

The defendant was cleared of two charges of attempted murder of elderly patients at the home and also at Tonteg Hospital, near Pontypridd.

The prosecution had claimed Reed, had a "morbid fascination" with death.

Sentence was adjourned for psychiatric reports and Reed was remanded in custody.