Former nurse jailed for sexually assaulting patient

A former nurse who sexually assaulted a female patient whilst working at an NHS hospital has been jailed for seven years.

Ernest Paul Cruz attacked the woman in a room at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital in July 2023, after she had visited the hospital's emergency department.

Following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court earlier this year, Cruz was found guilty of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

During a hearing at the same court on Monday, the 38-year-old former nurse was sentenced to seven years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order against his victim.

Dorset Police said the victim, a woman in her 30s, had been taken for treatment at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital after becoming unwell during the early hours of 30 July 2023.

Having first been assessed in the hospital's emergency department, she was then moved to another room and left alone with Cruz, the force said.

The nurse then said she needed to change and helped to take her clothes off, at which point he began touching her inappropriately and sexually assault her.

Police said the woman reported the attack to a female nurse the following day, with police notified and Cruz arrested later that day.

Cruz was later charged, with the victim giving evidence against him during the trial.

Det Con Jordan Hopkins, from Dorset Police, said the victim had "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," Hopkins added.