Social care worker in Glasgow struck off after abusing vulnerable man and making racial and sectarian slurs

A social care worker in Glasgow has been struck off after abusing a vulnerable man in his own home and making racist and sectarian remarks to colleagues.

At a Scottish Social Services Council hearing earlier this month, John Crone faced several allegations and the panel found his behaviour was “serious, constituted misconduct and his fitness to practice was impaired”.

Crone was found by the regulator’s panel to be “aggressive and controlling”, which had the “potential to cause significant emotional harm” to the man, referred to as AA, who required round-the-clock one-to-one care 24 hours a day.

He wore a protective apron, which he would often take off. However, Crone was found to have held it down at the back of his neck to prevent him removing it on an occasion between January and September 2023.

On more than one occasion between February and April 2023, Crone is said to have to told him “get that f***king on,” or words to that effect as well as tucking the apron into his trousers to prevent him from taking it off.

The panel found Crone told a colleague how he had physically restrained the man whilst cutting his hair.

Around the same dates, the panel found he referred to two of his colleagues, who were black and of African origin in a “disparaging and disrespectful manner to other members of the team”.

He also “demonstrated and expressed views of a discriminatory nature based on race and religion”.

Crone was found to have used a sectarian slur about Celtic fans.

A statement from the hearing, said: “The Panel considered that your conduct was serious and constituted misconduct.

“Your conduct towards AA was aggressive and controlling.

“You used abusive language to get AA to comply by keeping his apron on. You prevented AA from removing his apron when he wished to do so.

“You did so in an overbearing and intimidatory manner despite AA being a vulnerable service user in your care.

“You spoke of your colleagues YY and ZZ in a disparaging and disrespectful manner to other members of AA’s care team.

“You demonstrated and expressed views of a discriminatory nature based on race and religion. You spoke to your colleague in terms indicating that it may be acceptable to use physical restraint on AA if this was required, such as when cutting his hair.”

Crone, who worked in the sector for more than 20 years, denied all the allegations.

He denied being racist and said he worked with people of all backgrounds over many years and also had black relatives who visited from America.

He also denied talking about football at work or using sectarian language.

Crone was initially dismissed by his employer in August 2023 but reinstated in July 2024 following an appeal.

He continued to work until a temporary suspension order was placed on his registration in February this year.