An NHS nurse and a care assistant friend have today been found guilty of drugging patients on a hospital stroke unit for their 'own amusement' and an 'easy life'.

An NHS nurse and a care assistant friend have today been found guilty of drugging patients on a hospital stroke unit for their 'own amusement' and an 'easy life'.

Catherine Hudson, 54, and Charlotte Wilmot, 48, are also said to have targeted patients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital if they disliked them or their relatives.

The friends were today warned that they face jail for their crimes. 

WhatsApp messages between Hudson and Wilmot were uncovered after a probe was launched into alleged misconduct. In one text message to a colleague, Hudson wrote: 'I sedated one of them to within an inch of her life lol. Bet she's flat for a week haha xxx.' 

In others, jurors were told Hudson wrote that she was going to 'kill bed 5' and planned to give one patient 'the best sleep she ever had'. 'What a lovely day I have had in blue bay today,' Hudson wrote in a message read to the jury, adding: 'Sedated all the troublemakers lol xxx.'

In May 2016, in response to Hudson suggesting the sedation of a patient, Wilmot replied: 'Ha ha yeah sedation we love it.' 

WhatsApp messages between Hudson and Wilmot were uncovered after a probe was launched into alleged misconduct. In one text message to a colleague, Hudson wrote: 'I sedated one of them to within an inch of her life lol. Bet she's flat for a week haha xxx.'