Their lawyers argued it was not ill-treatment but appeal judges say that was for jurors to decide.

They are given suspended sentences after BBC Panorama exposed their actions in an undercover film.

Judge Chris Smith said Whorlton Hall was an “unpredictable and inherently frightening place to live”.

Despite promises to make things better for vulnerable adults, the pace of change is slow - writes Alison Holt.

Staff at Whorlton Hall were prosecuted after their behaviour was exposed in a BBC Panorama film.