Care home worker sexually assaulted resident

A care home worker who sexually assaulted one of the residents has been given a five-year restraining order.

Suzanne Ruckert met the victim at the care home, in the Castle Point borough in Essex, between 2021 and 2022.

Over the course of five months, she contacted the victim directly via social media and sent intimate images to them, initiating sexual contact.

At Basildon Crown Court on 11 November, the 29-year-old, of Atherstone Road in Canvey Island, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault with no penetration with a mentally disordered person.

She was also placed on the sex offenders register, given a three-year community order and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, as well as 90 days of rehabilitation activity.

Ruckert left the industry in October 2022 and the victim disclosed the activity to others responsible for their care in May 2023, Essex Police said.

Det Con Emma Taylor said: "A carer is in a position of power in relation to those in their care and she abused this position."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.