A night nurse put the life of a vulnerable severely disabled child in danger..after pulling out vital oxygen monitoring devices.

Then 45-year-old mum of three, Lesley Hooper, falsified records to cover up her lack of care, Canterbury Crown Court has been told.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor told how Hooper was employed as a nurse by an agency providing round-the-clock care for the child.

“During three nights, she was also witnessed by other carers removing monitoring equipment and changing the nappy without cleaning the child.

“However, the evidence does not show that the child suffered any long-term harm as a result of her actions.”

Hooper, of Alberta Close, Dover was given a 14-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work for the community after she admitted child cruelty.

Judge Heather Norton said the patient was one of the “most vulnerable of our society”.

She added: “By your actions you exposed this child to a significant risk of harm which could have included his death.

“Your actions amounted to a clear and repeated disregard to his welfare for three nights..and then you falsified the records to cover up your actions and you knew what you were doing was wrong.

“Why you did it..remains a total mystery.”

The prosecutor said that Hooper’s duties during the 8pm to 8am shift was to ensure the child’s airways were clean and working, and that the patient received the correct amount of oxygen.

In June 2015 another carer became concerned about what she saw on the monitor and decided to keep watch to ensure hourly checks were being carried out.

He added: “They were not and later checks on the log book revealed that the information, which had been written up, were fabricated.

“However, the recorded video showed that the defendant appeared to be pleasant and caring towards the child. There didn’t appear to be any anger or dislike exhibited in her behaviour.”

“By your actions you exposed this child to a significant risk of harm which could have included his death" - Judge Heather Norton

Mr Taylor added: “When the defendant was later interviewed she denied being asleep and claimed she was ironing.”

James Burke, defending, said Hooper “has no explanation” for why she falsified the records.

“It may be said that she was cutting corners but she is a caring person and wasn’t a fully trained nurse.”