A mental health nurse who began a affair with a suicidal married woman after being assigned to care for her was booted out of the profession.

Joseph Conaghan, 61, started a relationship with the 28-year-old after moving into her home in Oxfordshire, where she lived with her husband.

She was in a fragile state as she was suffering from severe depression, an eating disorder and suicidal thoughts, a hearing at the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard yesterday.

Conaghan, who was apppointed her nurse in 2002, at first kissed her and sent her texts.

Despite feeling upset about the situation, she continued to see the G-grade nurse from Bicester, because he claimed he could help her. In April 2003 she was referred to a different nurse, but Conaghan continued the relationship and later the couple had sex regularly without the husband's knowledge.

He also moved into the woman's home. The relationship ended and she reported it to the trust in July 2005.

Conaghan was suspended and interviewed by police but no charges were brought. He resigned in August 2005.

Conaghan chose not to attend the hearing.

But he admitted misconduct and the panel found Conaghan guilty of failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries. The panel ordered that his name be removed from the register.