CONNOR SWINDLE AND SHOCKING ASSAULT IN NEWCASTLE HOSPITAL
Connor Swindle, a man originally from Wallsend, found himself at the centre of a disturbing incident at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle, just two days after his release from prison.His brief period of freedom was marred when he caused significant distress to an 18-year-old patient in a public hospital waiting area.
Swindle's criminal past is extensive.
He has a long history of serious offenses, including convictions for rape and sexual assault committed when he was only 15 years old.
His criminal record also includes violations related to sex offender registration, as well as charges of arson and attempted arson.
These previous offenses culminated in his release from prison just before he returned to criminal conduct at the hospital.
The incident reportedly occurred around 6am on a July morning, when the 18-year-old victim and Swindle happened to be in the same hospital in the city center of Newcastle.
According to statements made in court, when she asked Swindle if she could borrow his phone to call her mother, he responded inappropriately.
Despite the presence of other hospital visitors and staff, Swindle proceeded to expose himself to her twice during their brief encounter.
On the first occasion, he was observed removing his penis from his trousers and swinging it around in a circular motion, purportedly saying to her, 'you know you like it.' When the teenager confronted him and pleaded with him to put his private parts away, he complied temporarily but reoffended five minutes later, again exposing himself and making lewd remarks.
This aggressive and lewd behavior left the young woman visibly upset; she was brought to tears and decided to report the matter to hospital reception.
The Court heard that she then made a formal complaint as police were summoned to the scene.
During his arrest, authorities discovered that Swindle possessed a tube containing cocaine, adding another layer of criminality to the incident.
In a victim impact statement, the teenager described her feelings of disbelief and trauma, saying, '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.' Her sense of safety has been profoundly affected, and she expressed concerns about how she will feel in the future, stating, 'I don't know if I will feel fully safe in a hospital after this.
I will feel on edge in future.' Swindle, now 22 years old and without a fixed address, pleaded guilty to charges of exposure and possession of cocaine.
His legal history and recent conduct led to a sentencing of eight months in prison, along with an extended license period of one year and four months.
He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the next ten years.
Defending counsel, Kate Barnes, highlighted Swindle’s unstable situation following his release.
She noted that he had no stable accommodation and was not taking his prescribed anti-psychotic medication at the time.
Instead, she explained, he resorted to alcohol and drugs, which she described as a 'woeful situation.' She further stated that Swindle has expressed remorse and maintains that his offending was not sexually motivated but rather related to his mental health issues.
He has reportedly been addressing his mental health and feels safer in custody.
The court was also informed of the traumatic experiences Swindle endured during childhood, which may have contributed to his ongoing struggles.
This case underscores the serious nature of Swindle’s actions and the risks posed by individuals with his criminal background, especially when their behavior occurs in sensitive environments such as hospitals.
The court's decision reflects the gravity of the breaches of trust and safety involved in this incident.
