A care worker from Lincolnshire has been given a prison sentence of five years and eight months after confessing to an inappropriate relationship with a vulnerable patient. Brett Peterson, aged 55, who lives in Skillington, was facing seven allegations related to engaging in sexual activities with someone suffering from mental health issues. These incidents happened during his period of employment at the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Stamford, from January 2019 to September 2020. In his remarks at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge Simon Hirst highlighted the criminal nature of Peterson’s behaviour, remarking, ‘You were fully aware that relationships with service users are not just forbidden, but are indeed criminal offences.’
The prosecution was led by Jon Dee, who focused on the complexities of the victim’s mental health condition and the reliance on Peterson for social interaction. The case came to light when Peterson’s wife found out about the affair; following this, he resigned and was later arrested in 2023. Speaking in a mitigatory capacity, Sarah Lindop flagged Peterson’s unwise actions but also stated his confessions had spared the victim the stress of attending a trial.
In his summation, Judge Hirst identified the victim as ‘extremely vulnerable’ and voiced his disdain for the ‘indescribable harm’ caused by Peterson’s conduct. Apart from the prison sentence, Peterson has been instructed to avoid any contact with the victim and is obligated to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
This article is based on original reporting made available on www.bbc.com.
