Student nurse sexually abused patient in James Cook University Hospital bed

John Collins took advantage of the man’s medical condition to carry out the protracted assault when he fondled his genitals for a number of minutes while working at James Cook University Hospital.

The 48-year-old's deviant behaviour has left the victim feeling unable to leave his own home since he was sexually assaulted in August 2017.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the defendant had been warned that it was inappropriate for student nurses to carry out bed baths on patients but Collins ignored the advice and assaulted the man while pretending to be called 'Dave'.

• Read more: Sexual predator jailed for life for sickening rape of Darlington pensioner

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said the victim was terrified of unknowingly bumping into his attacker as he was unable to fully recognise him due to his medical condition.

John Collins

In a victim impact statement, the man said: "Since I was sexually assaulted in hospital I don't like to leave the house, I feel jailed in my own property. This is because I do not know what the man looks like, who sexually assaulted me. I could bump into him and I wouldn't know."

He added: "I am now reluctant to go into hospital and will avoid it at all costs."

The man said he struggles to trust anyone who works in a hospital and the ordeal left him 'wanting to die' because he was bringing his family down."

Judge Recorder Craig Hassall QC sentenced Collins to 32 months in prison after listening to the impact on the victim.

"This offence was well planned, the facts of it demonstrate your manipulation of your position of trust to facilitate your sexual assault," he said.

"It is difficult to imagine how one deals with being sexually assaulted in a hospital bed by someone who is supposed to be providing him with care."

Wheelchair using Collins, of Laburnum Road, Redcar, appeared via videolink from Teesside Magistrates' Court, after pleading guilty to sexual assault on the day of trial.

Andrew Nixon, in mitigation, said his client had no previous convictions and had suffered his own medical problems since the offence occurred.

Speaking after the sentencing, a South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of our patients and service users is of paramount importance and our thoughts are with the victim and their family.

“This individual was employed by NHS Professionals as a flexible care support worker at The James Cook University Hospital while undertaking a student nurse placement. Following this incident in 2017, the individual was removed from all duties."

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