A man accused of unlawful sexual activity with a woman being treated for a mental disorder while he worked as a nurse has denied the charge. Jason Forde, 56, was extradited from Barbados to appear before a judge, where he pleaded not guilty.
Court Appearance and Charges
Forde denied having sexual intercourse with the woman at a mental health unit while she was receiving treatment for a mental disorder. He also denied charges alleging that he engaged the woman in other sexual activity while she was in his care in the East London borough.
Appearing via video link, Forde denied eight counts at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon. Her Honour Emma Deacon KC set a trial date for April 26 2027 with a time estimate of four days.
Extradition and Background
Forde was extradited to the UK from Barbados charged with having unlawful sexual activity with the woman in the 2000s. The unit, on the site of Homerton Hospital in Hackney, was East London and City Mental Health Trust and is now part of the East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Prosecutor Paul Fairley told the court it had taken "many, many years to achieve" his extradition from Barbados, with Forde arriving at Heathrow Airport earlier this summer.
Specific Offences Denied
Forde denied one count of "having sexual intercourse with a woman who was a mental defective" contrary to section 7(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and one count of "having unlawful sexual intercourse with a patient" contrary to section 128(1) of the Mental Health Act 1959.
He also denied three counts of "sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice" contrary to section 30(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and three counts of being a care worker engaged in "sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder" contrary to section 38(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Forde was remanded into custody.
