Locations
Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28
Description
Connor Swindle, formerly of Wallsend, had only been released from prison two days earlier when he left the 18-year-old distressed.
A convicted rapist left a teenage hospital patient in tears by brazenly exposing himself to her in the waiting area of A&E.
Connor Swindle had been released from prison just two days before ending up at the RVI in a drunken state. Newcastle Crown Court heard that at one point the 18-year-old victim asked Swindle if she could borrow his phone to call her mother.
Despite the presence of others in the room, Swindle twice exposed himself to the distressed teenager. Now the pervert, who is assessed as posing a high risk of harm, has been jailed.
Glenn Gatland, prosecuting, said the offence happened when the pair ended up at the city centre hospital at the same time, around 6am one morning in July this year. He said: "After some time the defendant took his penis out from his trousers and began to move it around in a circular motion, swinging it and saying 'you know you like it''
"When challenged by the victim she asked him to put it away, which he did. Five minutes later he again exposed it, swung it around and (made a lewd comment).
"She began to cry and got up and went to the reception desk, where she reported what happened." Police were called and when they arrested him they found him to be in possession of a tube containing cocaine.
In a victim impact statement, the teenager said: "I attended the RVI hospital to seek treatment and became a victim of crime. I can't believe somebody would act or behave like this and it's so much worse because this is a hospital.
"I don't know if I will feel fully safe in a hospital after this. I will feel on edge in future."
The court heard Swindle was convicted of rape and sexual assault in relation to three girls when he was just 15. He also has convictions for breaching his sex offender registration, arson and attempted arson - for which he was released from a prison sentence just two days before the hospital offending.
Swindle, 22, of no fixed address, previously of Wallsend, pleaded guilty to exposure and possessing cocaine and was jailed for eight months, with an extended licence period of one year and four months. He must also sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
Kate Barnes, defending, said Swindle had been released from prison with no accommodation. He wasn't taking his anti-psychotic medication and started taking drink and drugs.
Miss Barnes said: "It was a woeful situation on his release from custody. He had no support at all." She added that he is sorry, says the offence was not sexually motivated and is addressing his mental health issues and feels safe in custody. The court heard Swindle "endured a great deal of trauma as a child".