A NURSE who pulled a 76-year-old dementia patient to the ground by the hair after goading him to fight has been sentenced to 150 hours of community service.

Senior sister Agnes Lawrence told Alastair Elder "You'll go down before I will," before twisting his thumb as he lay on the ground in Rowantree Nursing Home, Rutherglen.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the scene was "like something outside a pub" as Lawrence wrestled Mr Elder to the ground with his trousers at his ankles.

Sheriff Daniel Convery told Lawrence: "The offence is a serious one that involved substantial abuse of a vulnerable patient in your professional care."

Lawrence, 53, of Ashcroft Drive, Croftfoot, has been convicted at an earlier hearing of assaulting Mr Elder and committing a breach of the peace.

The court heard Mr Elder became aggressive after he was asked to sit at a table for dinner.

Lawrence heard the OAP shouting and swore and screamed "just take him to his room".

Mr Elder threatened to hit Lawrence, who responded by screaming "go for it, go for it" in the patient's face.

Lawrence grabbed him by the hair and pulled him to the ground, banging his head off the door.

She swore and shouted "get him some medicine" before dropping to the floor beside Mr Elder and pushed his thumb back.

Lawrence, who now works as a shop assistant, was reported to managers of the home.

The community service was imposed for the assault charge and she was admonished on the breach of the peace.