A hospice worker who threatened to sue a terminally ill patient who had alleged misconduct against him has been let off with a warning for his actions.

Christopher Coutts, 59, while working at St Raphael’s Hospice in North Cheam, was accused by a 78-year-old war veteran of asking him for a cash loan, then discussing mercy killings with him when it was refused.

While he was found not guilty of the allegations against him, Mr Coutts caused distress to the terminally ill cancer sufferer by sending him a letter in August 2010 to say he would pursue him for defamation unless the charges against him were dropped.

A conduct committee of the General Social Care Council heard the patient, who has since died, did not receive another letter withdrawing the threats and continued to fear he would face legal action.

The committee found his actions "unfortunate and ill-judged" and had caused the patient anxiety and depression.

It also found Mr Coutts had kept inadequate clinical records about meetings with the patient.

At the hearing last month, the commitee decided to admonish the registrant and details of the admonishment be placed on his record for nine months.

Mr Coutts no longer works at the hospice.

Hospice manager and chief executive Brian Clarke said when the allegations were made against Mr Coutts it carried out all the correct procedures to ensure a proper investigation was carried out.