A NURSE who ran up an �800 bill for calls and text messages to a mentally ill patient escaped without punishment after he was cleared of having an affair with the woman. Carlton Ravello, 50, began contacting the woman after she was discharged by the Camde

A NURSE who ran up an �800 bill for calls and text messages to a mentally ill patient escaped without punishment after he was cleared of having an affair with the woman.

Carlton Ravello, 50, began contacting the woman after she was discharged by the Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust's Crisis Resolution Team (CRT) in 2004.

The father-of-two was found guilty of misconduct but was cleared of having an sexual relationship with the woman, who suffered from depression, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.

Ravello can continue working after receiving a five-year caution for his misconduct.

The NMC claimed he had a two-year sexual relationship with the woman and provided her with 'unconditional support'.

But the panel decided there was no evidence to suggest anything untoward.

It did however find him guilty of abusing his work mobile phone and racking up nearly �900 in phone calls and texts.

Ravello admitted making an excessive number of calls to patient A after she was discharged.

Most calls and messages were to her mobile phone and many were made in the early hours of the morning.

At the time the woman was still depressed and having suicidal thoughts, the panel heard.

She tried to commit suicide in February 2004, just two days after speaking to Ravello on the phone, and was taken to hospital.

In hospital, Ravello still persisted in phoning her, but did not tell any of her doctors what he was doing, it was said.

Ravello at first denied the calls saying his phone was faulty but later admitted the contact.

The nurse claimed he provided a listening counselling service to patient A to fulfil criteria for his counselling diploma.

Miss Samupfonda said: "The panel accepts the behaviour did not cause patient A any harm.

"Perhaps the real question is whether the nurse has learnt from his mistakes. The nurse will be well advised to follow further courses in order to be able to demonstrate this."

Ravello, of Dagenham, Essex, attended the hearing.