Almost nine months after they were convicted, four defendants, Peter Bennett, Matthew Banner, Ryan Fuller and John Sanderson, who were all former care workers at Whorlton Hall were in court in Teeside today for their sentencing hearing.

Peter Bennett was found guilty on two counts, Matthew Banner on five counts, Ryan Fuller on two counts and John Sanderson on one count of ill-treatment of a person in care.

HHJ Smith has sentenced them as follows:

• Peter Bennett, 4 months imprisonment for both counts to run concurrently
• Matthew Banner, 4 months imprisonment for all five counts to run concurrently
• Ryan Fuller, 3 months imprisonment for both counts to run concurrently
• John Sanderson, 6 weeks imprisonment

All custodial sentences are suspended, so no-one will be imprisoned.

• Peter Bennett’s sentence is suspended for a period of 18 months and he is required to complete 280 hours unpaid work during that time.
• Matthew Banner’s sentence is suspended for a period of 18 months and he is required to complete 280 hours unpaid work during that time.
• Ryan Fuller’s sentence is suspended for a period of 15 months and he is required to complete 240 hours of unpaid work during that time.
• John Sanderson’s sentence is suspended for a period of 12 months and he is required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work during that time.

A fuller report of the day’s hearing will follow.

Post outlining the context and background of the charges, and the victim impact statements is here.

Post outlining the defence pleas in mitigation is here.

Post with HHJ Smith’s Sentencing Remarks in full is here.

With thanks, as always, to all my crowdfunders, the monthly regulars and the one-offs. I question the value of my reporting all the time, but am glad I could cover the Whorlton Hall trial in its entirety. Thank you.