The trial involving nine former Whorlton Hall staff members accused of abusing vulnerable patients is entering a new phase as the prosecution has closed its case.

The defendants, six men and three women were allegedly caught on camera mistreating patients by an undercover BBC reporter who obtained a position at the specialist care unit near Barnard Castle.

The footage in a Panorama documentary revealed the purported psychological abuse of patients with learning disabilities or autism.

Starting Monday, March 27, the first defendant is expected to give evidence at Teesside Crown Court.

Jurors learned that the accused targeted, tormented, or verbally abused several vulnerable patients.

The defendants face 27 offenses after the reporter recorded events using a hidden camera at the 17-bed unit in January and February 2019.

Detective Constable Alex Simms presented evidence from police interviews with the defendants, while undercover reporter Olivia Davies admitted Whorlton Hall was a challenging work environment.

Despite this, she recorded over 200 hours of covert footage that showed accused staff members aggravating and tormenting patients.

The trial stems from a lengthy investigation called Operation Sarto by Durham police, prompted by the 2019 BBC Panorama documentary.

Whorlton Hall, a privately-run facility funded by the NHS, has since closed down.

The defendants, who all deny the charges, include John Sanderson, Darren Mark Lawton, Niall Mellor, Sarah Banner, Matthew Banner, Ryan Fuller, Sabah Mahmood, Peter Bennett, and Karen McGhee.

They face various counts of ill-treatment or wilful neglect of patients. The trial is ongoing.

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