A NURSE of 20 years, struck off for sending inappropriate text messages to a drug addict patient, said he was deeply ashamed of what he did.

Laurence Lumley, from Cranbrook, tried to strike up a relationship with the 30-year-old woman just days after she was referred to a drug centre.

But the texts, which he sent from his work's mobile phone, were discovered by his manager, who had been tipped off by a member of staff at Cornerstone drug centre in Marsham Street, Maidstone.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council heard that after swapping mobile phone numbers with the woman, he sent a text on August 8, 2006, which read: "Just wanted to say thank you. You're so cool. Speak later."

Later the same day, the 41-year-old substance misuse worker, of Carriers Road, texted her to say: 'What you doing Friday night as mates maybe go for a drink?' adding: 'I want to get into your head'.

The texts continued with Lumley asking if the £70-a-day heroin addict, who cannot be named, wanted to go for a beer.

The hearing also heard that Lumley made a series of calls to the woman on his works mobile on August 7, 8 and 10, and made three calls outside work hours.

The texts were discovered by his manager Vivien Anderson, who went through Lumley's desk where she found the mobile phone.

Ms Anderson said Lumley would have known the centre's policy on relationships with clients, but despite making a note in the patient's records saying he needed to change the boundaries of their relationship, he exacerbated the situation by repeatedly texting her.

Ms Anderson said: "It's important to have these boundaries for clients' safety and for the workers' safety.

"I would expect the workers not to give out details about themselves. Some of the clients are very unpredictable.

"I am absolutely sure he would have known the policy existed."

The court heard Lumley was given a five-year caution in 2004, after he admitted lying about his qualifications on an application form for a job as an outreach worker.

Panel chairman Pat Kelly said Lumley had to be struck off because his misbehaviour with the addict was compounded by his previous order.

He said: "The breach of authority and trust of a vulnerable client is an extremely serious matter. The public trust and confidence in the nursing profession would be undermined if a caution order was made for this serious case."

Lumley admitted sending the texts and phoning the woman, but denied his fitness to practise was impaired by his misconduct.

He blamed his conduct on the stress of his job and told the hearing: "I do find it hard to relate to the person I was at that time. I was really blown out with the stress of a difficult caseload.

"I can assure the panel I have spent a long time considering my behaviour and motivations at that time. I have been a nurse for over 20 years and proud to be one. I am deeply ashamed, I have let the profession down so badly."

Lumley will now be unable to work as a nurse for the next five years, although he will be able to appeal the panel’s decision.