Mental health manager 'made racist and sexual comments'

It was claimed at a tribunal that Carl O'Mara subjected one woman to a simulated sexual act, made a reference to another colleague's breasts and viewed pornography at work.

The 40-year-old was suspended by Bradford District NHS Trust in 2006 after the allegations at the Oakvale Supported Accommodation, in Keighley, West Yorkshire.

O'Mara allegedly made a racist comment about young Asians and used a derogatory name to describe a female colleague.

He also made a threat to a paranoid schizophrenic who complained, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing was told.

O'Mara joined Oakvale, which provides support for 20 people with mental health problems, in 1999 and was promoted to assistant unit manager in 2004.

His alleged inappropriate conduct took place during 2005 and 2006.

Melanie McDonald, for the NMC, said O'Mara was questioned about his behaviour towards Tenant A, a paranoid schizophrenic, who complained the deputy manager had shouted at him and waved a finger in his face.

Later, at the man's home, O'Mara allegedly said: "You stepped out of line and I will spread your face." Tenant A's complaint then triggered others, including several from a woman known as Colleague E, who claimed she was repeatedly subjected to racist abuse.

She claimed that O'Mara referred to her by an offensive name and that he fixated on "honour killings".

The NMC heard that O'Mara made inappropriate sexual references to a woman known as Colleague F. She told the hearing that he repeatedly grabbed her and simulated sex.

"He would make comments directly to me. This would happen fairly often."

She said it was part of a "culture" of behaviour at the mental health unit and that she tried to laugh it off.

O'Mara, from Leeds, denies taunting Tenant A, using racist language, speaking in an inappropriate sexual manner, viewing porn on a laptop and making inappropriate sexual contact with Colleague F.

The hearing continues.