A nurse sacked for sleeping on the job has claimed she was “praying” with her eyes closed.

Matilda Aryee was fired from Sycamore Court care home in Brighton after bosses accused her of dozing in a chair during a night shift.

But the devout Christian from Saltdean insisted her eyes were shut because she was “meditating deeply” about God.

At a disciplinary hearing, a care home manager said Mrs Aryee had been caught lying down in a darkened room during a surprise check at 3am.

In her defence, Mrs Aryee argued she was praying on her own, away from the eyes of other staff while 20 minutes into her break.
 

However the panel of bosses decided to sack her, concluding “on the balance of proba- bility” the allegation was proven.

After she was fired, a furious Mrs Aryee told The Argus she “hadn’t done anything wrong”.

She said “I’m a very religious woman and my eyes were closed because I was praying. That’s what I do – I like to pray on my own.

“They had no evidence at all that I was sleeping.

“I felt very intimidated by the whole process and the fact I lost my job because of my faith pains me greatly.”
 

Mrs Aryee said her sacking had also made it more difficult for her to find new employment in the care industry.

Duncan Smith, district manager for Sycamore Court, said: “Unfortunately, we cannot comment on individual cases.

“However, any decisions we make on staff issues are made in accordance with our employment policies and procedures, which are there to protect customers and col- leagues alike.

“We have high expectations in relation to the provision of care and support for vulnerable adults and we will take the necessary, appropriate action to maintain this high quality of care for all the older people we work with.

“Their well-being is always paramount.”