Brett Peterson, age 55, pleaded guilty to seven charges of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder at Lincolnshire Crown Court. 

Peterson has been jailed for five years and eight months and will be registered as a sex offender for life.

The offences took place in the Stamford area while Peterson was working for the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust between January 2019 and September 2020. He was arrested in 2023. 

During the hearing, Judge Hirst said it was clear that the victim was an 'extremely vulnerable young victim,' telling Peterson 'you knew not only that relationships with service users were forbidden but a criminal offence.'

The victim suffered from multiple mental health problems, having to attend hospital appointments regularly. Peterson's guilty plea saved the victim having to give evidence in the trial. 

'The damage you have caused is indescribable. The impact on her is truly profound,' said the Judge. 

Peterson pleaded guilty to two additional charges of inciting or causing sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder and going forward Peterson will have a restraining order to prevent Peterson from being near or in contact with the victim. He will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.