Care worker jailed for sexual abuse of patient

Brett Peterson pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder

A care worker who admitted having a sexual relationship with a vulnerable woman has been jailed for five years and eight months.

Brett Peterson, 55, of Buckminster Lane, Skillington, pleaded guilty to seven charges of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder.

The offences took place between January 2019 and September 2020 while Peterson was working for the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in the Stamford area.

In sentencing at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge Simon Hirst told Peterson: "You knew not only that relationships with service users were forbidden but a criminal offence."

'Ill-advised'

Jon Dee, prosecuting, said the victim in this case, suffered from multiple mental health problems and had regular hospital appointments.

"Essentially he [Peterson] was her link to the outside world to a large degree," Mr Dee added.

The court heard Peterson resigned from his job after his wife discovered the relationship. He was arrested in 2023.

Sarah Lindop, mitigating for Peterson, said he accepted his behaviour was ill-advised.

'Undescribable damage'

Miss Lindop added that Peterson's guilty pleas had spared his victim the trauma of a trial.

Judge Hirst said it was clear Peterson's victim was an "extremely vulnerable young victim."

"The damage you have caused is undescribable," Judge Hirst added. "The impact on her is truly profound."

Peterson also pleaded guilty to two further charges of inciting or causing sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder.

A restraining order prevents Peterson having any contact with the victim and he must also register as a sex offender for life.

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