Care home boss who sexually assaulted residents could have sentence extended

THE FORMER MINER FROM SOUTH SHIELDS DESCRIBED HIS BEHAVIOUR AS 'JUST BANTER' 03:00, 31 May 2025 A care home boss who sexually assaulted vulnerable residents and claimed his

behaviour was "just banter" could be locked-up for longer. William Malcolm was a registered nurse and boss at a residential care home when he committed offences against four

residents who needed full-time support due to mental health issues. He also sexually assaulted three other women who were not residents and racially harassed a colleague. The 61-year-old, of

West Hope Close, South Shields, known as Bill, was jailed for three years and three months at Newcastle Crown Court last month after a jury convicted him of 10 charges of sexual assault,

two of ill-treating a person in care and one racially aggravated harassment. But Malcolm could now be facing more time behind bars after a request to have his sentence reviewed was accepted.

Malcom's sentence was referred to the Attorney General's Office under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme (ULS). Under the scheme, victims of crime, members of the public, and the

Crown Prosecution Service can ask for certain crown court sentences to be reviewed if they believe they are too lenient. The Attorney General's Office then has 28 days, from the date

the original sentence was passed, to decide whether the sentence should be referred to the Court of Appeal to be reviewed. Malcolm's sentence is currently "under

consideration" by the office. Article continues below As he was jailed Anne Richardson, prosecuting, explained how Malcolm's offending came to light after two whistleblowers came

forward. She said some of his victims "lacked capacity due to physical or mental health difficulties". One victim was a schizophrenic with learning difficulties who suffered from

weight issues. Ms Richardson said: "They were encouraged to eat a balanced diet. The defendant called him inappropriate names like 'fat f*****' and 'fat c***'."

Malcolm was also seen "grabbing" the victim's testicles before saying, 'look at the size of those nuts'. Another victim - who Malcolm kissed on the lips - was

branded a "slapper" by him. He also made homophobic remarks about her son, the court heard. There was also another woman who Malcolm kissed on the lips "multiple times"

and "thrust himself towards her" during one incident. Another woman - who suffered from PTSD and a personality disorder - demanded Malcolm "get off" as he thrusted

towards her on a rocking chair. The court heard she was left "frightened". Speaking of another incident involving another female victim, Ms Richardson said: "He came up behind

her and said, 'look at the t*** on that' and grabbed her breasts. She told him to stop. He put his arms around her and thrust his groin towards her." The court heard that

Malcolm ran his hands up a woman's thigh, touching her bottom during one ordeal. Malcolm then "laughed at her" when she expressed her anger. Malcolm also made racist remarks

about one woman's partner and left her feeling "uncomfortable". Ms Richardson said that Malcolm showed "hostility towards disability" and that the care home - which

cannot be named for legal reasons - was subsequently shut down after his behaviour came to light. All staff lost their jobs. She added: "[Malcolm made] sexist, homophobic and sexual

comments [which] he said was just banter." The court heard that Malcolm faced disciplinary proceedings at another nursing job he held after making "sexual remarks" towards a

colleague. He also made "racist gestures" to another colleague. In mitigation Olajide Lanlehin said Malcolm, who is a former coal miner, has been "deeply impacted by

what's happened" and was a man who had no previous criminal convictions. He said: "He wanted to create a family environment...he is an old-school type of character where

banter and all manner of jokes were allowed. "In the modern world, there is no place for such banter. He should have known better with hindsight. He is a very playful and larger than

life character and is not all bad." Mr Lanlehin added: "He never intended harm. He has now been left isolated as a result of these convictions." In passing sentence Judge

Julie Clemitson said Malcolm was known as a "touchy-feely" boss who was known to "talk dirty" and often make inappropriate sexual and homophobic comments. She said he

"continued to be blind to the harm his behaviour caused". Article continues below Judge Clemitson said Malcolm could be "rude, abusive and intimidating" and had since

been "shunned" by the local community. She added that some victims were left "deeply scarred" by his offending. Malcolm will be on the sex offenders' register

indefinitely.