Man sentenced over sex offences in Oxfordshire
It follows a Thames Valley Police investigation
Mukesh Bharti, aged 47, formerly of Overmead, Abingdon, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by touching and one count of sexual assault by penetration in a hearing at Oxford Crown Court.
Bharti, a former clinical support worker, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. The judge also made an indefinite restraining order.
In August 2022, a woman in her seventies reported to health care professionals that she had been sexually assaulted by someone she believed to be a male member of staff at a hospital in Oxfordshire.
The incidents had occurred overnight where Bharti inappropriately touched his victim and then proceeded to sexually assault her.
Bharti was arrested on 12 August 2022 and following a thorough investigation, he was charged with the offences on 20 October last year.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Sarah Osborne said:
“I wish to thank the victim for having the courage and strength to report these serious offences inflicted by Bharti.
“The investigation has taken time to reach this conclusion, and we are grateful for her patience and understanding, which I know has not been easy.
“It is not lost on me the impact this has had upon the victim and her family.
“Bharti was working within a hospital setting, where people go to be treated and should feel safe. He took advantage of the trust that the community put in him, preying on an elderly and unwell female, trying to deceive and confuse her as to what he was doing.
“The victim saw through this, and, although Bharti denied his guilt in police interview, he finally accepted his culpability in court.
“Bharti showed the worst of humanity; however, other health care professionals acted in a caring and compassionate manner when the victim alerted them to what Bharti had done.
“The victim and her family’s bravery has been incredible and her strength has shone through in this investigation.
“We would like to assure members of the public that thankfully, incidents such as this are extremely rare, and Thames Valley Police will always investigate them with the utmost sensitivity and support victims to bring offenders to justice.
“We are keeping an open mind as to whether Bharti has committed other offences."