A WOODLEY man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in her home.
Steven Hicks was convicted at Reading Crown Court on Friday, January 19, and will be sentenced on Thursday, January 25.
The court heard that on January 4, 2022, Hicks made an unscheduled visit to his victim’s home in Earley. She was receiving at-home care following a fall.
Hicks, 60 and from Quentin Road, was a registered nurse from the NHS Rapid Response team and entered her home under the guise of working from the orthopaedic department.
He then sexually assaulted her.
Specialist Investigator Pippa Sharman, based at Loddon Valley Police Station, said: “This was a horrendous attack on a vulnerable woman, by Steven Hicks.
“Hicks at the time, was in a trusted profession–he researched the victim, knowing they no longer needed evening care, orchestrated an un-scheduled visit to her home address, knowing he would not be disturbed when committing this assault and abused the power that was bestowed upon him.
“The investigation into this assault, has shown him and demonstrates to the public, that we will not tolerate this behaviour and ensure that no one should be made to feel unsafe in their own home.”
SI Sharman continued: “The victim has showed incredible dignity and courage throughout this case – and I thank her for her trust and bravery.
“Thames Valley Police is relentless in its pursuit and disruption of perpetrators of violence against women and girls.
“If you are a victim, or suspect someone is a victim of crime, please contact the force – we have specialist-trained officers who will listen and support you.
“You can contact us via our website, by calling 101, or by visiting a police station.”
Speaking to Reading Today, SI Sharman explained: “Always report concerns to the police, and we are keeping an open mind- we will always act on new information.
“If anyone has concerns, report them through the usual channels, which is through the police, through the NHS, or through their healthcare provider.
“You should be able to be safe in your own how, and you should be able to feel safe around trusted medical professionals and people of authority.
“I would say it’s important to ask for identification so you know who is coming into your property, even if it’s a scheduled appointment.
“Keep yourself safe by knowing as much information prior to the visit or when they attend.”
As for the prevalence of this kind of incident, she said: “It’s difficult- it’s not something that’s common or that I’ve seen very much of, so we wouldn’t want to alarm anybody.”
Speaking on the case itself, she explained that during the trial Hicks had viewed a number of articles relating to the incident.
Part of Hicks’ defence was that he’d seen information about the case in the newspaper and referred to the police appeal.
“He said he’d seen the incident reported in print and then sought more information by looking it up on his phone.”
“Yet the articles he cited went to print three days later- publications including the appeal from Thames Valley Police.
“None of the articles featured this appeal until after he viewed the article online.”
She added: “We will always remain open-minded, and should any new information come to light, we will of course act upon it.”
