A Caithness care worker has been issued with a warning by her professional watchdog after a boozy assault.
Children’s day care worker Stephanie Norburn has had a six-month warning put on her record by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) following a hearing.
It comes after the 28-year-old admitted slapping the best man – her husband – twice at a wedding in Aberdeen and then assaulting a police officer.
The incident unfolded at Maryculter House Hotel in October 2021 when Norburn got into an argument with her mother-in-law.
Norburn, from Thurso, was fined £320 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in February.
Her defence agent Sian Fish said at the time: “She wishes to stress to the court that this is not her and she has never behaved in such a manner in her whole life and would never again.”
However, the SSSC has now concluded that Norburn’s fitness to practice was impaired and issued the warning.
In the report, they wrote: “Committing a crime of a violent nature raises concerns over your values.
“Such behaviour falls below the standard expected from social service workers.
“The public has the right to expect that social service workers, in whom it places its trust and confidence to work responsibly with vulnerable people uphold the law and do not engage in offending behaviour nor otherwise behave in a way in work or outside work which would call into question their suitability to work in social services.”
However, they did find Ms Norburn’s chance of repetition was “low to moderate”.
It was also noted that it was an isolated incident that occurred outside of work and that she had “expressed regret and remorse” over what happened.
It was also acknowledged that the SSSC has received a positive reference from her current employer.
The six-month warning on her registration came into effect on Tuesday.
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