A MENTAL health nurse accused of failing to investigate a rape allegation on his unit said his decision not to call police was "borne out" when the charges were later dropped.

John Hales, 65, allegedly failed to make thorough inquiries after a 19-year-old male reported another patient had committed a sex attack.

No formal report of the incident at Doulton Lodge, near Sleaford, was made to outside agencies until the next Tuesday – March 11, 2008 – four days after the alleged assault on March 7.

Hales, who lives in Lincoln, is accused of failing to properly investigate the complaint, or record the incident in patients' medical notes.

The hearing continues.