Children’s worker struck off for meat cleaver attack on partner

A children’s home worker who assaulted his male partner with a meat cleaver has been removed from the register in Wales.

Lee Barnard was convicted of unlawfully wounding Mark Baigrie in September last year. He was dismissed from his post at Rhondda Cynon Taff Council shortly afterwards and is currently serving a 12-month prison sentence.

Barnard’s partner sustained serious injuries in the attack, carried out at the home they shared.

A conduct committee of the Care Council for Wales heard that Barnard did not admit his guilt during the criminal trial and claimed his partner had attacked him.

The committee found Barnard had committed misconduct and removal from the register was the only appropriate sanction given the seriousness of the offence.

Barnard had worked at Rhondda Cynon Taff Council since 2000 and as a children’s home worker from 2005 onwards.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “The council takes its responsibilities for safe care very seriously and is always swift to act where the integrity or safe practice of any member of staff with caring responsibilities is called into question. Mr Barnard, who worked for the council since 2000, was suspended immediately when the offence, which was committed outside of work, was drawn to its attention. Mr Barnard undertook no further duties as an employee after that date and was subsequently dismissed from the council’s employment on 28th September 2009.

“The Care Council for Wales’ decision to remove Mr Barnard from the register is entirely consistent with his dismissal by the council.”

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