Care home worker who sexually abused vulnerable adults jailed for nine years
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A man who used his job as a carer to commit degrading sexual assaults on vulnerable adults has been jailed for nine years.
Joshua Nokes, aged 24, was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Friday, September 3, after admitting a string of offences which took place in a Northamptonshire care home in 2018 and 2019.
The offending only came to light when Northamptonshire Police arrested Nokes on suspicion of possession of child abuse images, and found videos of him sexually abusing adults with learning disabilities on his phone, alongside nearly 100 indecent images of young children.
Work began to identify his victims, and it was also discovered that Nokes had bragged of his offending to others via WhatsApp, boasting of humiliating and abusing those he was supposed to be caring for.
Following the Force’s investigation, Nokes was charged with 15 offences, pleading guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse against vulnerable adults in a care home, voyeurism offences and the possession of indecent images of children.
Nokes, of Thelbridge Road, Birmingham, was jailed for a total of nine years, plus an extended licence period of four years.
He was also made subject to indefinite notification requirements and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), designed to help prevent future offending.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Adam Brooks, of the Public Protection team, said: “The offending carried out by Nokes was truly sickening, exacerbated by the fact he abused those he had been trusted to care for.
“The discovery of his crimes has caused untold heartache for his victims and their families, with many feeling guilty themselves that they were unable to protect their loved ones.
“This sentence reflects the severity of what Nokes did and I hope it brings some small comfort to those affected by this case.
“Northamptonshire Police is committed to protecting everyone, but especially the most vulnerable, and we will do all we can to bring those who seek to harm others to justice and ensure they can never commit such evil acts again.
“If you have any concerns about someone who may be being abused, or is vulnerable to abuse, please report it to us so we, and our partners, can take action to safeguard them and bring offenders to book.”
Reports of any form of abuse, or concerns about potential abuse, can be made by calling 101 or reporting online at www.northants.police.uk/RO
