Michael Corbett, a 40-year-old patient in a wheelchair, has avoided jail after sexually assaulting a nurse and another woman at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI). The offences occurred on May 31, and Corbett pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Details of the assaults
Corbett first put his hand up the dress of a nurse as he wheeled past her in the hospital. Later the same day, while outside in the car park, he stumbled and a woman helped him back into his wheelchair. He then told her, "You're f****** lovely you, what I would do to you. I will f****** have you, you're coming home with me, you're mine," before touching her right breast, which she pushed away.
Christopher O'Brien, prosecuting, described how Corbett reached under the nurse's dress as he passed her. In the second incident, outside A and E, he stood up, stumbled into the road, and after being helped back into his wheelchair, made the threatening remarks and touched the woman's breast.
Court proceedings and sentence
The court heard Corbett was in a "very sorry state" at the time, drinking and using spice. His solicitor, Gregg Stephens, said Corbett did not remember his actions and was drinking a bottle of vodka a day, but has since stopped using drugs and now only drinks a couple of cans of lager a day.
District Judge Paul Currer sentenced Corbett to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, stating the offences were "terrible" and occurred while he was a patient in a wheelchair due to his intoxicated state. He noted the seriousness of targeting hospital staff. Corbett must also pay £150 compensation to each victim and complete a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement.
