A hospital nurse has received a seven year prison sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a patient at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where the woman had been taken after becoming unwell. A nurse has been jailed for sexually assaulting a patient at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The woman, who was in her 30s, was taken to the hospital after becoming unwell in the early hours of Sunday 30 July 2023, and was first assessed in the emergency department before being moved to another room. Detectives said she was alone with nurse Ernest Paul Cruz when he told her she needed to change and
A nurse has been jailed for sexually assaulting a patient at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
The woman, who was in her 30s, was taken to the hospital after becoming unwell in the early hours of Sunday 30 July 2023, and was first assessed in the emergency department before being moved to another room.
Detectives said she was alone with nurse Ernest Paul Cruz when he told her she needed to change and helped remove her clothes, before touching her inappropriately and sexually assaulting her.
The victim told a female nurse what had happened the following morning, police were contacted, and officers went to Cruz’s home address, where the 38 year old was arrested later that same day.
Cruz was found guilty of sexual assault and assault by penetration after the victim gave evidence at trial, and he was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today to seven years in prison.
He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, and was placed on the sex offenders register following the case, which Dorset Police said was supported by the victim’s evidence.
Detective Constable Jordan Hopkins said the victim had “shown courage” by reporting what happened and supporting the investigation, adding that victims of sexual offences “will be supported” and taken seriously.
