Shadow Health Secretary, Natasha Asghar MS, has written to the Justice Secretary following the imprisonment of convicted sex offender Paula Stanton after an act of outraging public decency at the University Hospital of Wales.
Stanton, who is male-born and has a lengthy history of sexual offending, was jailed after admitting masturbating in full view of NHS staff at the hospital. Court proceedings heard that several members of staff witnessed the incident while carrying out their duties.
Commenting, Natasha Asghar MS, said:
"This was a disgusting offence committed by a convicted sex offender against NHS staff who were simply trying to do their jobs.
"NHS workers already face enormous pressures and challenges. They should not have to endure this kind of predatory and deeply distressing behaviour in their workplace. They deserve better protection and support.
"What makes this case even more concerning is that this individual has a significant history of sexual offending, including previous convictions for outraging public decency and indecent exposure.
"I have therefore written to the Justice Secretary seeking assurances that Stanton is being held in a male prison, in line with Ministry of Justice policy regarding male-born sex offenders.
"I have also asked for confirmation that these offences will be recorded as having been committed by a male in official crime and criminal justice statistics.
"It was also absurd to see that some reports of the case referred to 'her penis' when describing this individual’s acts.
"The public are entitled to clear and accurate reporting of serious crimes.
"Above all, my thoughts are with the NHS staff who were subjected to this appalling behaviour. They were the victims in this case and they deserve our full support and, as such, I have raised this with the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care to seek assurances about the safety of NHS staff."
