Ms Thorpe joined the trust in 2016 as a healthcare assistant. She was promoted to nursing assistant in 2018, and in January 2020 started a four-year nursing degree apprenticeship at Sunderland University, which allowed her to continue to work.

The patient, known as Patient X, was at a ward for males with mental health disorders and had been referred from a prison facility.

On 27 April 2020, he alleged he was having an inappropriate relationship with her and claimed she was pregnant.

Ms Thorpe was suspended three days later and the following month was told there would be a disciplinary investigation.

The investigation did not happen until July 2021, during which time her suspension kept getting extended, although Patient X had died in December 2020.

The hearing in Newcastle was also told she was receiving only basic pay and losing about £1,000 a month while suspended, although the trust later made some back payments.