'Predator' sexually assaulted female patient at Whiston Hospital

Russell Jones, 45, had been convicted of sexual assault in March following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court heard during Jones’ sentencing on Thursday afternoon (April 27) that he had been “loitering” at the hospital and had waited for the victim’s boyfriend to leave in a taxi before committing the assault.

Jones, who has related previous convictions, was called a “sexual predator” by judge Garrett Byrne and as someone who “posed a significant risk” to women.

Jones 'loitered' at hospital to 'befriend female patients'

Prosecuting, Robert Wyn Jones, said that on October 24, 2022, “the defendant was spending time at Whiston Hospital where he was loitering attempting to befriend female patients”.

The barrister told the court the victim of the sexual assault “was “a patient at the hospital” and “she was using a wheelchair”.

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The court heard that earlier that day Jones had offered to push the victim, who was also on a drip, back to her ward before “a hospital volunteer intervened”.

Then later during the same day, when the victim left the ward and waited as a taxi took her boyfriend away.

Jones committed the sexual assault on a patient at Whiston Hospital (Image: Stock)

As the victim and a friend had a cigarette together, Jones “went to speak to them”.

Mr Jones said how the defendant “made an inappropriate remark, stating he ‘wouldn’t mind having half an hour with her’”.

It was said Jones then “stroked (the victim) up he leg, moving up towards her groin. She made it entirely clear that she didn’t want this to happen.

“She felt vulnerable and dirty as a result of the defendant’s actions.

'Significant aggravating features'

Before passing sentence, judge Byrne acknowledged there were “significant aggravating features” in the case.

He referenced the victim’s personal impact statement which stated the assault “has had a very real adverse impact on her life”.

Jones, who had committed the sexual assault during the period of a 24-week suspended sentence, for offences including criminal damage and motoring offences, was then arrested in the early hours.

The prosecution had argued Jones’ offence was aggravated by his “previous convictions” which included in December 2014 when he tried to kiss a woman.

Another related to an incident in a park in Warrington in August 2015, when Jones “exposed his penis to a group”. During the incident he “grabbed” his victim by the neck and “continued to strangle her” and was only stopped when “other members of the group punched him repeatedly”.

Defending Jones, Frank Dillon said Jones is “anxious to be released” to make “an honest living” and added: “I accept the offence was committed two months after the imposition of a suspended sentence”.

Jones was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday (Image: Stock)

Jail sentence passed

The judge said the victim “was particularly vulnerable and was in hospital using a wheelchair” and said this is a place “where she is supposed to feel safe”.

He added Jones was “under the influence of alcohol” at the time of the sexual assault and was “drinking at various times from a bottle of vodka” and that he had “committed the offence during the period of a suspended sentence.”

Jones, of Ratcliffe Place, Rainhill, who appeared via video link from custody, was given three years in prison for the sexual assault, and an extra 24 weeks consecutively for the breach of the suspended sentence.

Judge Byrne added: “Had I been able to pass an extended sentence I would have unhesitatingly done so, because I find you to be highly dangerous.

“You present a significant risk to members of the public, particularly women.”

The judge noted to Jones that, after seeing him give evidence during his trial, “you no doubt see yourself as a ‘rough diamond’”.

However, the judge added: “In my view you are a sexual predator” who is unable to see “how your behaviour affects other people.”