Ryan Barry Mills, 40, from The Gables in Randalstown, Co Antrim, received a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, at Antrim Magistrates Court in Ballymena. The court heard he admitted ill-treating a patient with a mental disorder at Muckamore Abbey Hospital on July 21, 2017.

Mills worked as a day care worker at the hospital's Six Mile Ward. The incident occurred in the communal day space. The patient tried to climb onto the nurse's bench and swung at Mills, who extended his hands to defend himself.

Five minutes later, the patient attempted to climb the bench again and swung at Mills. Mills took the patient's hand and pushed him backwards with force. The patient grabbed out, and Mills pushed him backwards again by pressing his hand to the patient's face.

Mills then grabbed the back of the patient's head and forced his face into the nurse's bench. This use of force formed the basis of the charge. Mills told police he pushed the patient to prevent him entering the nurses' station and believed the patient tried to spit at him.

The victim's family attended the hearing in the public gallery. A defence lawyer stated Mills accepted his actions were inappropriate. Mills had no previous record and was suspended from his role before resigning on May 18, 2025.

District Judge Nigel Broderick noted Mills held a position of trust over a vulnerable patient. The judge stated Mills failed to handle the patient's challenging behaviour appropriately. The judge referenced a victim impact statement from the patient's sister.