Former health worker Vincent Charles Roberts has been jailed for five and a half years for sexual offences against two vulnerable female patients.

In February, the Royal Court found the 57 year old guilty of eight counts of committing a prohibited act with someone suffering from a mental disorder.

He initially communicated with the two patients by text message and by TikTok before moving conversations to Snapchat.

The court heard he kissed one of the patients on more than one occasion and was sexually involved with the other for months.

Detective Constable Carla Garnier says Roberts ‘abused his position of trust with vulnerable people for his own gratification’.

"We are committed to investigating and prosecuting all sexual offenders and want to assure victims that there are a number of agencies who are in a position to offer support and guidance through all stages of the criminal justice process."

The offences were disclosed to another member of staff, who alerted the Safeguarding Team.

However, Roberts fled the island after refusing to cooperate with the police investigation.

The 57-year-old was brought back to Jersey from the UK to face trial, which lasted three days.

Roberts has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade and handed a restraining order indefinitely.

Several local services provide help for those suffering from sexual abuse:

• The SARC at Dewberry House, provides expert independent and confidential support to victims of sexual abuse. Call: 01534 888222
• Jersey Domestic Abuse Support (JDAS) is an independent service developed to protect and support victims of domestic abuse, who are at risk of significant harm. Call: 01534 880505.
• Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) provide and maintain a supporting framework for survivors and their families. Call: 01534 482801.
• Jersey Women’s Refuge offer help and support for victims of domestic abuse. Call: 0800 7356836
• Victims First Jersey is a free and independent service offering confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Call 0800 7351612.
• The Safeguarding Partnership Board help agencies to work together to safeguard children and adults at risk. Reporting concerns about a child – call: 01534 519000, concerned about an adult – call 01534 444440.