Paramedic who sexually assaulted patients jailed

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Andrew Wheeler, 46, was described as a “manipulative sexual predator” by the judge, while prosecutors said the former emergency worker “abused the privilege and trust that wearing an NHS uniform brings”. The woman said in a victim impact statement read to the court: “I have no faith in the NHS and I’ve avoided seeing a paramedic and attending the hospital just because of what happened.” She said she has flashbacks, adding: “I couldn’t handle dealing with life. DCI Sherrie Nash, from the force’s Protecting Vulnerable People department, encouraged “anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, and not previously felt able to report it” to contact the force on 101 or via webchat on the website. 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 commended Wheeler’s victims for their bravery in coming forward, adding: “I can’t imagine what they have gone through but I hope today’s sentencing allows them to continue rebuilding their lives knowing that justice has been done.” Wheeler was acquitted of seven other charges and the jury could not reach a verdict on a further five charges of rape.