An Irvine care worker has been struck off for convictions of assault, threatening behaviour and carrying a bladed weapon.

Janine Bleakley has been removed by the Scottish Social Services Council [SSSC] for the ‘serious breach of trust’ after failing to inform her employer of the offences.

Bleakley was convicted of assault, wilfully or recklessly destroying or damaging property belonging to another, having an offensive weapon in public and having a bladed or sharply pointed article in public at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on August 25, 2017.

At the same court on October 19, 2017, she was convicted of threatening or abusive behaviour, likely to cause a reasonable person fear or alarm, then on December 14, 2017 Bleakley was convicted of failing to comply with bail conditions and threatening or abusive behaviour.

The SSSC found that Bleakley had failed to advise the regulator of the convictions.

The panel said: “Whilst the behaviour did not take place within the workplace, and there was no evidence that your professional work had been compromised by similar behaviour, you now have a number of criminal convictions against you which are of a violent and public nuisance nature.

“The Panel considers that a Removal Order is the most appropriate sanction as the behaviour demonstrates a serious breach of trust and departure from relevant professional standards.

“A Removal Order is both necessary and justified in the public interest and to maintain the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession.”