Community Nurse Imprisoned for Sexual Activity with Patient

A community nurse received an 18-month prison sentence following his admission of engaging in sexual activity with a vulnerable patient during a clinical appointment. Simon Robertson, residing at Louth Road, Binbrook, encountered the victim through his duties with the Early Intervention In Psychosis Team, as presented at Lincoln Crown Court. The 48-year-old individual entered a guilty plea to a single count of sexual activity committed by a care worker. Additionally, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for a decade and was issued a restraining order prohibiting any communication or interaction with the victim. The court was informed that Robertson initially met the woman during an initial assessment conducted in November 2021, at which time it was documented that the patient had a propensity to form intimate connections with individuals who showed her kindness. Testimony presented in court detailed an incident in March 2022, during which Robertson danced with the woman at her residence, and she unfastened his belt. A subsequent private meeting occurred at her home two weeks later, where Robertson confessed to touching the woman intimately after she initiated the interaction by grasping his hand following a back massage. During his interview, Robertson initially denied the occurrence but subsequently conceded, stating: “It did happen but it wasn’t an assault. It was consensual.” He acknowledged his dishonesty, attributing it to concerns about his employment and personal relationship, and maintained that he was “silly and naieve, but not predatory”. Chris Jeyes, acting in mitigation, implored the court to consider Robertson’s actions as a “lamentable” lapse in professional boundaries, as opposed to premeditated conduct. Mr Jeyes further stated, “He has lost his profession. He is currently under an interim disqualification from the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and that will no doubt become a full suspension.” The victim, whose identity remains protected, conveyed in an impact statement that she was “shocked” by Robertson’s conduct, noting that the shock “wasn’t going away”. During the sentencing, Judge James House KC remarked that Robertson would have been aware, based on existing records, of the potential for the victim to develop an infatuation with him. Judge House stated: “Despite that knowledge he did not take those precautions – in fact he did the opposite.” He concluded: “The responsibility for what happens lies on his shoulders.”