# Case (Nurse sex offender). R v Andrew Culverwell \[2026\] EWCA Crim 203 **URL:** \ **Category:** MHLO updates\ **Created:** [9 March 2026 21:40 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/case-nurse-sex-offender-r-v-andrew-culverwell-2026-ewca-crim-203/5284 "2026-03-09T21:40:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MHLO](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/user_avatar/forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/mhlo/32/24_2.png) [@MHLO](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/MHLO)\ **Post date:** [9 March 2026 21:40 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/case-nurse-sex-offender-r-v-andrew-culverwell-2026-ewca-crim-203/5284/1 "2026-03-09T21:40:00Z")
— The appellant, a community psychiatric nurse at Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, had been convicted of multiple sexual offences against a patient (who had attempted suicide after his threats to alter her health records in a way that might reduce her level of care). He appealed against some counts under s38(1) Sexual Offences Act 2003 ("Care workers: sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder") on the basis that the judge should not have decided that as a matter of law that he still met the statutory definition of care worker while on long-term sick leave. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal: abuse of a position of trust is the essence of the offence, and that abuse exists whether the sexual activity occurs on-shift or off-shift. His appeal against sentence (7 years' imprisonment, restraining order, SHPO) was also dismissed. * * * Full details available at: [https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/R\_v\_Andrew\_Culverwell\_(2026)\_EWCA\_Crim\_203?id=090326-2140](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/R_v_Andrew_Culverwell_(2026)_EWCA_Crim_203?id=090326-2140)