NORTHUMBERLAND CARER JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AFTER TAKING NAKED PICTURES OF VULNERABLE PATIENT
A depraved caregiver took nude photographs of a defenseless patient and solicited sexual activity from him, severely betraying the trust placed in him.The court heard that Dean Meakins, 32, manipulated the victim into removing his clothing and posing for pictures intended to be uploaded on a dating website.
Newcastle Crown Court was also told that Meakins made sexual advances toward the same individual and performed a sex act in his presence.
Now residing on High Street East in Sunderland and employed in Northumberland, Meakins has been sentenced to six years in prison for these offenses as well as additional sex crimes involving a teenage boy.
Addressing the adult victim, Judge Amanda Rippon stated: "You were hired to care for him given his vulnerabilities.
Instead of caring, you exploited and abused him." The judge emphasized that such misconduct by caregivers significantly undermines public trust in those responsible for caring for vulnerable individuals.
She added, "The role of carers has been particularly emphasized during the pandemic, and thankfully, most of them are trustworthy and deserving of our appreciation." Meakins was convicted of two counts of causing or inciting sexual activity with a person suffering from a mental disorder and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of someone with such a disorder.
He was also found guilty of sexual activity with a minor and encouraging or arranging a minor to engage in sexual acts—specifically involving a teenage boy whom he instructed not to reveal what had occurred.
In addition to his prison term, he is required to register as a sex offender, comply with a sexual harm prevention order, and is permanently prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Judge Rippon noted that both victims were "particularly vulnerable for different reasons." Defense lawyer David Callan described Meakins as "well-educated and articulate" and mentioned that he accepts the jury's verdict, though he disagrees with it.
He also stated that Meakins is willing to cooperate with any rehabilitative support offered by probation services during his time in prison.
