ANDREW WHEELER SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS IN PRISON IN PETERBOROUGH FOR MULTIPLE SEXUAL OFFENCES

A paramedic found guilty of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against three victims has been sentenced to 21 years in prison. Andrew Wheeler, 46, of Mill Green, Warboys, was convicted of six sexual offences committed between 2009 and 2018 following a trial that commenced in early December. During the sentencing at Peterborough Crown Court, Judge Matthew Lowe described Wheeler’s conduct, stating he exhibited an "arrogance and a belief that he was untouchable and protected, as he saw it, by his paramedic's uniform." The judge further remarked that Wheeler showed "not a shred of remorse" and identified him as "a manipulative sexual predator, willing to exploit the vulnerabilities of three separate victims for his own gratification." Praise was given to a thorough police investigation and Detective Constable Amie Meston for their efforts in bringing Wheeler to justice. The judge also commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward. Wheeler’s offending was first discovered after he raped and sexually assaulted a woman in September 2018. As a single-crew paramedic responding to an emergency call, he reassured two other paramedics, who arrived as a dual-crew, that he had the situation under control. After assisting an intoxicated woman from a friend’s house back to her home, Wheeler carried out the assault. The victim confided in a friend, and the incident was reported to police, leading to Wheeler’s arrest on the same day. For the September 2018 rape, Wheeler received a 13-year sentence, and for the sexual assault, a 10-year sentence, both to run concurrently but consecutive to other sentences. Another victim came forward, revealing that Wheeler had raped her in 2009 and sexually assaulted her in the back of an ambulance in April 2010. For these offences, Wheeler was sentenced to six years for the rape and 30 months for the sexual assault, with both sentences running concurrently but consecutively to the others. Additionally, Wheeler was convicted of two counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13, unrelated to his professional conduct, committed between December 2013 and May 2014. He was sentenced to 15 months and two years respectively, with sentences running concurrently but consecutive to his other penalties. Detective Inspector Sherrie Nash, from the Protecting Vulnerable People unit, highlighted that Wheeler’s long history of offending suggested there may be further victims yet to come forward. Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Brunning described Wheeler as a predatory individual whose actions spanned nearly a decade. Brunning stated, "We believe his decision to become a paramedic was influenced by the access it would give him to potentially vulnerable members of the public and this breach of trust makes his appalling offences all the more deplorable." He expressed that Wheeler caused significant suffering to his victims and praised their courage in reporting the crimes. Brunning added, "I would like to pay tribute to their bravery and patience during this lengthy legal process. I hope today’s sentencing helps them begin to rebuild their lives, knowing justice has been served." The court heard of one specific incident from 2018, when Wheeler was on duty as a single-crew paramedic in a rapid response vehicle designated to assist a woman who had collapsed in Cambridgeshire. Upon arriving at the scene, it was evident that the woman, who was at her friend’s house, was heavily intoxicated. Peterborough Crown Court was told that Wheeler dismissed two other paramedics who arrived with an ambulance, claiming he had the situation under control, before driving the woman to her home, where he assaulted her. Prosecutor Noel Casey described the victim as "extremely intoxicated," unable to respond or resist, and stated Wheeler "broke the gross breach of trust" when he assaulted her in her own home after taking her there. The woman shared in her victim impact statement that she now feels distrustful of the NHS and avoids medical care due to what happened. She said, "I have flashbacks, and I couldn't handle dealing with life. I became a recluse." Jennifer Dempster QC, representing Wheeler, noted that he had no previous convictions and that he had contributed positively in other aspects of his life.