Poor sleepers take 6m sickies: One in five workers admits taking a day off after a bad night's sleep

Sickies cost to UK economy running to ?611 millionbut almost half of people, 44%, never enjoy a lie-inlack of sleep caused by decreased concentration levels, grumpiness and rows at home

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 00:05 GMT, 30 August 2013 | UPDATED: 00:05 GMT, 30 August 2013

Sleep-deprived workers take six million sick days a year according to a survey, with the cost to the UK economy running to ?611 million.

One in five workers surveyed admitted taking a 'sickie' because of a bad night’s sleep, according to the online poll of 2,044 people by bed firm Silentnight, who appealed for volunteers for research in a sleep clinic.

Only 13% of those polled said they slept peacefully, while of those kept awake regularly almost a third, 32%, blamed the thought of having to get up early the next day and 26% blamed money worries and work stress.

Catching up on sleep the next day: Almost a third blamed the thought of having to get up early the next day and 26% blamed money worries and work stress

One-sixth of workers choose to catch up on sleep while travelling on public transport but 7% admitted to falling asleep while at their desk and 4% during a meeting.

The survey showed almost half of people, 44%, never enjoy a lie-in - even at weekends - with most lie-ins lasting less than 30 minutes.

Problems people said were caused by a lack of sleep included decreased concentration levels, grumpiness and rows at home.

Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, Silentnight's sleep expert, pictured, says a few steps can make a huge difference to getting a good night's sleep - switching off from work and social media channels

Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, Silentnight’s sleep expert is searching for 10 people with everyday sleep issues to take part in a four-week sleep clinic with information and advice available for the public to follow online as the study progresses.

Dr Ramlakhan said: 'Sleep is crucial to our health and well-being and it is clear from the findings that lack of quality sleep is making a real impact on people’s lives - from absence from work, decreased concentration levels and arguments in the home.

'A few simple steps can make a huge difference to getting a good night’s sleep.

'Switching off from work and social media channels an hour before bed, taking the time to unwind, eating a balanced diet and making sure that our sleep environment is as tranquil as possible are all positive steps in the right direction.

'The Sleep Clinic is aimed at educating people across the UK that a few simple techniques can help the nation get a great night’s sleep every night.'

More information about the sleep clinic can be found at www.silentnight.co.uk.

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Self-taught hypnotist Timothy Porter admits vile acts while victim was in trance

Woman had sought help from Timothy Porter, 40, for weight loss problemsWoke from trance when she felt something touching her neckPorter, former serviceman based at RAF Leeming, had his trousers down and told her to fondle her own breastsAdmits causing a person to engage in a sexual activity without consent

By Steve Robson

PUBLISHED: 08:18 GMT, 29 August 2013 | UPDATED: 00:45 GMT, 30 August 2013

Abuse of trust: Self-taught hypnotist Timothy Porter, 40, performed a vile act on a woman while she was in a trance

A man who hypnotised a married mother and made her perform sex acts is facing a prison sentence.

Self-taught hypnotist Timothy Porter exposed himself and made his patient fondle her breasts during what was  supposed to be a weight-loss session in her home.

The startled victim woke from a trance after something touched her neck and saw the 40-year-old with his trousers down.

Fitness fanatic Porter, a former serviceman who was based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, had half a dozen treatment sessions with the mother of three last year.

Prosecutors said Porter’s conduct and conversations became ‘sexualised’ at an early stage of their meetings.

In December, during a visit to the woman’s home in North Yorkshire – while her children slept upstairs – he put her into a hypnotic trance.

She contacted police after ‘waking’ to find him with his trousers down and ordering her to touch herself.

Porter, now living in Blackburn, admitted causing a person to engage in sexual activity when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

He will be sentenced next month after background reports have been prepared by probation workers, and was given bail until then.

It is thought Porter is married with a child, and he was accompanied at court yesterday by a woman. He honed his skills 'purely as a hobby' while reaching the rank of corporal in the RAF.

Court papers reveal that he was due to leave the RAF around the time of the offence.

On one occasion, he asked his victim if she would like to experience ‘heightened orgasms’.

Porter had claimed that nothing sexual happened during the visits to his victim’s home in the year leading up to the offence.

After he admitted the charge, an interim order was made for him to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register. The length of the registration will depend on his sentence.

A source said: ‘It was when she was hypnotised that he started to become a bit more lewd.

'He says there was nothing sexual in the lead-up to the one incident, but her account is there was some untoward behaviour.

‘It’s simply not known if there are other clients, but he did bill himself as an amateur hypnotist.’

Advances: Teesside Crown Court that the woman had sought help with weight problems - but Porter also asked her if she wanted to experience 'heightened orgasms'

Detective Constable Graeme Bevington that Porter had no formal qualifications as a hypnotherapist and appeared to be entirely self-taught.

'He told us he had performed hypnosis on other people,' the detective said. 'I don't think he has any qualifications, if there are formal qualifications.

'He said he had been practising and teaching himself for a number of years. It is never something he has done as a profession. It was purely a hobby.'

Speaking about the victim, Det Con Bevington said: 'She is ok. She is pleased it is over and done with and is now looking forward to moving on.

'She is pleased he has been taken to court and brought to justice for what he has done, because she feels he has abused her trust.

'She was quite nervous about the court process and having to face him in court and give evidence, if he had not pleaded guilty and if it had been a trial.'

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