There's More To Worry About Here Than The Physical Assault...

An occupational therapist who slapped a four-year-old boy with learning difficulties when he refused to put on his shoes and socks has avoided being struck off from his profession, a court has heard.

Ramon Priess, 34, struck the vulnerable child's face '10 to 20 times' after he pretended to be asleep at a session at the Maximum Potential clinic in Devonshire Place, central London, in April 2019.

The attack, which happened in front of the boy's mother, left the child with a 'reddened' right cheek.

I'd have thought the mother would have intervened. With the nearest heavy object! 

The mother witnessed the incident and spoke to the child's father later that evening, who then sent an email to Priess.

Sent an email!! What sort of family is this?

Priess responded: 'Apologies for what has happened today. This wasn't meant to hurt him at all. He complained over pain in his mouth just before as well.

'There is nothing I can do to justify what happened and I suppose it is probably best if [the child] stays with Maximum Potential and does not see me privately.

'The lines are blurring between my professional relationship/private friendship with [the mother] and [the child]. They feel like family to me and I handled it in a way I would with my nephews and nieces.'

Well, good grief, if that doesn't ring alarm bells, what does? 

In September 2019, Priess was charged with assault by beating but he left the UK in December 2019 and started work in a paediatric occupational health practice in Berlin, Germany. He was still working there in February this year.

Clearly, the Germans are quite sanguine about the prospects of employing a total wrong 'un in such a delicate and crucial role. But why should we be in the UK? 

He pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial at Westminster Magistrates Court in March 2020 and was handed a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months in June 2020.

You'd think that would be it, but no. 

...a conduct and competence committee of the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service has ruled he will only be suspended from the profession for six months, after hearing it was an 'isolated event' and that he had apologised.

All it takes is an apology? Seriously? 

'[Mr Priess] has insight, does appear to be willing to resolve matters, is unlikely to repeat the misconduct, and has apologised for his actions, which were an isolated event in his career.

'A Striking Off Order would be disproportionate in all the circumstances.'

It is unclear if the suspension will affect Priess' ability to practise abroad or if he will only be suspended in the UK, with the tribunal adding that it only 'might have an effect on his ability to work as an Occupational Therapist in Germany'.

Good grief!