Nina Strange (right) hit pensioners and used soiled water to clean another resident's teeth.

She was found guilty after a trial at Derby Crown Court.

Her catalogue of abuse came to light after a work placement trainee reported her. It was alleged that the 48-year-old from Heanor hit a wheelchair-bound 88-year-old woman across the head, hit an 81-year-old man around the head twice and pulled another resident's hair as she put her to bed.

The Crown Prosecution Service also said the 20-year-old complainant saw her dip a tooth brush in soiled bath water before using it to brush a 75-year-old woman's teeth.

Strange, who was a senior health care assistant, was suspended immediately after the allegations were made. She denied all five charges of ill-treatment by a carer of a person without capacity but was convicted of each count.

Sentencing was adjourned to a later date.

It was the third time in three years that the nursing home on Heanor Road had been investigated for the alleged mis-treatment of its patients.

Edward Munslow, director of operations at the home, said: "We are very pleased with the decision taken today and thank all the agencies involved for their professionalism and support during the evidence gathering process.

"This sends a very clear signal to everybody working in care that behaviour like this will not be tolerated.

"Although this awful incident has occurred it is due to our robust procedures which led to a successful investigation and conclusion."