CARE WORKER JAILED FOR KISSING VULNERABLE MENTAL PATIENT
A healthcare professional committed a severe breach of trust by kissing a patient considered to be at ‘high-risk’ of mental health issues.Billy Masters, who was employed as a care worker at a mental health facility in Essex, was involved in the incident where he kissed the woman on the lips.
The 28-year-old was promptly suspended from his position after the allegations surfaced.
The incident took place in early 2022, and Masters pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in sexual activity with an individual suffering from a mental disorder while under his care.
During sentencing on Monday (February 23), Judge Siew Loke described Masters’ actions as “criminally responsible behaviour” and emphasized the vulnerability of the survivor, stating it was “hard to think of someone at higher risk” than the “extremely vulnerable” woman.
At Basildon Crown Court, it was revealed that the woman was an inpatient at the mental health hospital.
Over a three-month period, she and Masters exchanged private messages that became sexual in nature.
The court heard that the kiss happened during an ‘emergency’ situation on the ward after Masters “led her [the woman] into a room.” The woman previously told the court she felt “trapped and terrified to speak out” about what occurred.
In her victim impact statement, she described her feelings: “My admission should have been a time of safety and recovery.
Instead, he exploited his position and power.
The experience has left me with deep emotional scars.
I am still struggling to understand how this happened to me.
It has caused me to feel fear, shame, and a distrust of mental health professionals.” The court was informed that Masters has since changed careers and is now working as a drainage engineer.
He aims to establish his own business within the trade.
Defense attorney Nick Bonehill stated: “He has had ample time to understand and acknowledge the gravity of the position he placed the complainant in and has expressed remorse for his actions.” Judge Loke remarked: “This was a clear breach of trust.
Immediate custody was certainly justified, but it is noteworthy that you have no prior criminal record.” Masters was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with 120 hours of unpaid community service, 20 days of rehabilitative activities, and was ordered to cover legal costs.
