Groping paramedic gets four years

A paramedic has been jailed for four years after groping an 83-year-old patient in the back of an ambulance.

Clifford Power, 44, also molested two other women while working for Sussex Ambulance Service, the court heard.

Power, of Jasmin Close, Littlehampton, admitted two charges and asked for a third count to be considered.

Chichester Crown Court was told he also groped a 59-year-old woman whose husband was dying and a 52-year-old multiple sclerosis sufferer.

It was outrageous behaviour and an appalling breach of trust Judge Robin Barratt

The 83-year-old woman with osteoporosis was Power's first victim.

The court heard when she was placed on a stretcher and secured with straps in the ambulance Power ran his fingers over her breasts and face.

The father-of-three then molested the 59-year-old woman as her husband was taken to hospital with renal failure.

The court was told he touched her breast then proceeded to hug her and place his hands on her breasts.

When the woman arrived at the hospital she was told her husband had died.

'Inappropriate' relationship

The third victim was sleeping at home when Power, who had been to the address the previous day, went to her house without being called and put his hand under the duvet.

The paramedic was arrested in January and when interviewed said he heard voices telling him it was "what women wanted him to do".

Power committed the crimes, not out of sexual gratification but as result of an "inappropriate" relationship with his mother, the court heard.

Jailing him Judge Robin Barratt, said: "It was outrageous behaviour and an appalling breach of trust."

Power was put on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.