Sentence Increased for NHS Worker Who Sexually Assaulted Patients
Ieuan Crump, a 28-year-old healthcare support worker from Gilfach near Bargoed, Caerphilly county, has had his prison sentence increased by a third after sexually assaulting two patients during fake medical examinations at Grange Hospital in Cwmbran.
Crump was originally sentenced to nine years in December, but the case was referred to the Attorney General for reconsideration. On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal reviewed the sentence, taking into account the serious breach of trust and aggravating factors involved in the offences.
The court ruled that the original sentence did not adequately reflect the severity of the crimes and increased the term to 12 years.
Crump committed the assaults in August 2021 while working at the hospital. He carried out fake examinations on the women while they were in pain, including one patient who had recently undergone surgery. On some occasions, he did not wear gloves during the assaults.
At trial last year, Crump was convicted of six counts of sexual assault and three counts of assault by penetration. The court heard that his actions had a devastating impact on the victims.
One victim disclosed that she had attempted to take her own life three times, while the other was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse.
Court Proceedings and Arguments
During the appeal hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, Nadeem Holland, representing the Solicitor General, argued that the original sentencing judge failed to fully consider the aggravating features and the serious breach of trust inherent in the offences.
In response, Marian Lewis, defending Crump, contended that the judge who presided over the trial was best placed to determine the appropriate sentence and described Crump's offences as "opportunistic" rather than targeted.
After careful consideration, Lord Justice Singh concluded that the nine-year sentence was unduly lenient.
"The overall sentence did have to reflect the gravity of the offending as a whole."
The court imposed a new sentence of 12 years, consisting of consecutive terms of seven years for the assaults on the first victim and five years for the second.
Crump appeared via video link from HMP Parc in Bridgend but did not make any statement to the court.
