A CARE worker sacked for failing to reveal a previous caution when he got a job at a nursing home said the mistake had ruined his life.

And Andrew Newton has warned others not to be so stupid.

Andrew, of Railton Avenue, Blackburn, last month pleaded guilty at Blackburn Magistrates' Court to gaining a pecuniary advantage by deception from Springfield Nursing Home.

When management at the home, in Preston New Road, Blackburn, challenged the 27-year-old about the caution he said it had been for the theft of pens.

But it had, in fact, been for stealing £20 while he was working in a previous job as a cleaner.

And although he was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £65 costs he revealed this week he was paying an even greater price.

He said: "It was for a theft that happened years ago and I've learned my lesson since then.

"But I knew I wouldn't have got the job if I'd included it on the application. And I'm paying for it now.

"It was a silly mistake but I feel that my good character has been lost. I'll never get a job like this again because of the matter."

It was during his time at the Aaron House care home, also in Preston New Road, that Mr Newton qualified with an NVQ2 in caring as well as passing a course on safe handling of medicine.

But he admits it will be virtually impossible to continue his career as a carer.

"I have never been pulled up about my work," he said. "I was a senior in charge of three other carers on a day to day basis.

"I don't know what I'm going to do now. I'm trying to get a job but this has ruined my chances."