A healthcare support worker for the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) has been handed a nine-year prison sentence for s3xually ass@ulting two female patients under the guise of conducting medical examinations.
Fake Exams on Vulnerable Patients
Ieuan Crump, aged 26 from Gilfach, Caerphilly, committed the offences in August 2021 while employed at The Grange Hospital in Cwmbran. The Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that Crump subjected the women to phoney and completely unnecessary intimate examinations while they were in significant pain and under the influence of strong medication.
Despite denying the allegations, a jury found him guilty of nine counts of s3xual ass@ult, which included three counts of ass@ult by penetration. The court was told he carried out the attacks while performing scans and checks as part of his role, deliberately targeting young, vulnerable women for his own s3xual gratification.
Devastating Impact on Victims
In powerful victim impact statements read to the court, the profound and lasting trauma inflicted by Crump was laid bare. One woman revealed the severe effect on her mental health, stating she was plagued by intrusive thoughts of the ass@ult.
"I felt there was no way to escape... which led me to try to take my life on three occasions," she said. "I just wanted my life to be over, so I didn't have to relive what was in my head... I feel like I'm a shell of the person that I used to be." She also expressed a deep-seated mistrust of all medical professionals following the ordeal.
The second victim said Crump's actions left her fearful and distrustful of men in general. "It has made me think that, if a healthcare worker can commit such an act, then any man is a threat. I do not want to be treated by the NHS or go back to the Grange," she told the court.
An Egregious Breach of Trust
Prosecutor Matthew Roberts described the crimes as "the most egregious, grotesque abuse of trust" by someone in a position of responsibility. Sentencing him, Judge Vanessa Francis emphasized the seriousness of the breach of trust, noting Crump manipulated extremely vulnerable women.
The judge detailed that Crump performed intimate examinations that were not required and deliberately did not wear gloves because he wanted "skin to skin" contact, causing devastating harm.
In addition to the nine-year custodial sentence, where he must serve at least two-thirds, Crump was placed on the s3x offenders register for life. He is also banned from working with children and vulnerable people and is subject to restraining orders preventing contact with his victims.
Following the sentencing, Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Michael Jenkin praised the courage of the two women, whose evidence was crucial in securing the conviction. He stated that Crump's actions were a calculated and deliberate exploitation of his position of power over vulnerable patients.
