Nurse Convicted of Making Indecent Images Banned from Practice
A nurse based in the West Midlands has been banned from medical practice after being convicted of making indecent images of children. He has been struck off the nurse’s register following his conviction at Birmingham Crown Court on 25th September 2018.
The 38-year-old nurse was convicted of three charges of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child. He was convicted of a further charge of possession of extreme pornographic images involving animals.
He was sentenced in October last year, being ordered to attend a sexual offender treatment programme for 40 days, subject to a three-year community order and ordered to sign on to the sexual offences register for five years. He has now been removed from the nurses’ register and will no longer be able to work in the healthcare sector in that capacity.
The decision was made by a panel sitting for the Nursing and Midwifery Council on the 8th May 2019, with the report from the meeting only recently being published. The report stated there were “repeated serious sexual offences over a period of time” and they believed there was a
“high risk of the conduct being repeated due to the nature of the convictions and …lack of full insight and remediation”.
“It [the panel] was of the view that while the conduct which led to a conviction did not directly cause harm to patients, in accessing, viewing or other involvement in child pornography, …[his] actions gravely undermined patients’ trust in nurses and midwives,”
The report went on to state that being a nurse is a position of trust, and that patients, colleagues and their families must be able to trust them, and that nurses must maintain professional boundaries at all times, acting with honesty and integrity.
The panel made the decision to remove the nurse from the register even though there were mitigating factors from his past and that he had admitted to the charges early. He had also written a reflective statement showing remorse for his crimes.
The panel made a further interim order to cover the 28-day period before the full striking off order came into effect, to ensure the safety of patients.
There is the potential to appeal the decision of the panel.
Contact Richard Egan of Tuckers Solicitors, Child Sex Offence Defence Lawyer (London, Birmingham, Manchester & Leeds)
If you need advice or assistance with indecent images offences, professional tribunal representation or child sex offences, Richard Egan can help.
In-depth defence preparation, attention to detail and professional representation makes Richard Egan the best choice for criminal defence.
These elements are essential to safeguarding the rights of our clients from allegations of criminal activity. We discuss all the available options to find and implement the best defence strategy for you.
Our expert sexual offence solicitors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to advise and assist you. For more information, please contact Richard Egan on 02033895072 .