A CARER who hid his conviction of assault for two years from his employers has been let off with a warning.

Mark McGeachie was convicted of pushing and striking a woman on the body during an incident on March 3, 2016.

At the time of the assault McGeachie was employed as a support worker with Four Seasons Healthcare Group at Moorpark House in Kilbirnie and concealed his conviction for two years.
McGeachie was convicted of the offence at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on April 4, 2016. 

He was also convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour and lashing out and obstructing police officers at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on April 4, 2016

As a result of the court case he was called before the Scottish Social Services Council on December 30 who found that his “fitness to practise is impaired by reason of your convictions and by reason of your misconduct.”

The panel found McGeachie’s conviction “represents a loss of self-control and aggressive behaviour, which is at odds with the conduct expected of a person registered with the SSSC and also has the potential to adversely affect public trust and confidence in the profession.”

They also found his conduct had called into question his suitability to work in social services.

The panel also said McGeachie’s failure to disclose his conviction was “a breach of SSSC registration requirements “and calls into question good character and conduct.”

The SSSC told McGeachie his behaviour was serious and “resulted in actual harm to members of the public.”

In his defence the SSSC accepted McGeachie was highly emotional on the day of the assault after having attended the funeral of a close friend.

The panel added: “The SSSC has also had regard to the insight, apology and regret you have shown for your actions, and the fact that you have stated you would not repeat the behaviour if presented with a similar situation.”

The panel also conceded that McGeachie’s behaviour was isolated to that one day, there had been no prior concerns about his condut or any repetition.

The SSSC said McGeachie had also co-operated with them from the outset of the investigation. The panel decided to place a warning on McGeachie’s registration for a period of 18 months.