A mental health nurse has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for sexually abusing a 20-year-old inpatient at a hospital in Wythenshawe. Matthew Wharton, 37, was found guilty of multiple sexual offences following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police.
Wharton, who worked as an agency nurse at Laureate House—a mental health facility run by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust—was convicted of five counts of penetrative sexual activity with a mentally disordered female and two counts of non-penetrative sexual activity. The offences occurred on the ward and at various locations off-site.
The victim reported the abuse to staff earlier this year, prompting a police investigation. Officers discovered that Wharton had attempted to contact the victim via Instagram and later followed her on Snapchat. He coerced her into a relationship and repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped her.
Wharton was arrested in May 2024 and charged under section 38 of the Sexual Offences Act. He was also issued a 10-year restraining order. Detective Constable Chloe Stevens praised the victim's bravery, stating: 'The suffering Wharton has inflicted on a young and vulnerable woman is utterly deplorable. He was in a position of care and abused that power for his own sexual gratification.'
Greater Manchester Police urged any victims of sexual offences to come forward, emphasising that they will be listened to and supported. Support services including St. Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Greater Manchester Rape Crisis are available for those in need.
