A nurse who sexually assaulted a female patient as he helped her undress in a hospital A&E department has been jailed for seven years. Ernest Paul Cruz, of Merstham, Surrey, was found guilty of sexual assault and assault by penetration of the woman aged in her 30s after a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Sentence and orders
As well as the prison sentence, the 38-year-old was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Details of the assault
A Dorset Police spokesman said a woman aged in her 30s was taken for treatment at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital after becoming unwell during the early hours of July 30 2023. He said when she arrived at the hospital, the woman was assessed in the emergency department before she was moved to another room.
As she was alone in the room with Cruz, he told her she needed to change and helped to take her clothes off, according to police. Cruz then touched her inappropriately and went on to sexually assault her. The woman told a female nurse the next morning and the police were called.
Police response
Det Cons Jordan Hopkins said the woman was in a vulnerable position at the time she was sexually assaulted by Cruz. He added: "She has shown immense courage in coming forward to disclose what happened to her, support our investigation and give evidence during the trial."
"I hope the bravery she has shown gives strength to other victims of sexual offences and encourages them to come forward in the knowledge that we will take them seriously, victims will be supported and we will do all we can to ensure perpetrators are held to account."
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted and you want to report it to the police call 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, call the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222.
