An Essex carer, Suzanne Ruckert, sexually assaulted one of the residents in the facility she worked in after sending them sexually explicit images over the course of five months. Suzanne Ruckert will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ register after the assault in which she “abused her power” in her role.
Suzanne Ruckert, of Atherstone Road in Canvey, was working at a care home in the Castle Point district when she met the victim. Over the course of five months, the 29-year-old began contacting the victim directly via social media before sending intimate images to them and initiating sexual contact.
Suzanne Ruckert left the industry in October 2022 and her victim disclosed the activity to others responsible for their care in May 2023, leading to the start of our investigation and Ruckert’s first arrest. After giving no comment and being released on bail, officers continued to build the case against Suzanne Ruckert and her abuse of power while working as a carer.
She was interviewed for a second time in December 2023 before she was charged on April 15 this year. After initially denying the offences, Suzanne Ruckert admitted three counts of sexual assault with no penetration. At Basildon Crown Court on Monday, November 11, Suzanne Ruckert was sentenced to a five-year restraining order and was also added to the sex offenders’ register for five years.
She was also given a three-year community order and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, as well as 90 days of rehabilitation activity. Detective Constable Emma Taylor said: “As Her Honour Judge Leigh said when sentencing Suzanne Ruckert, it was her responsibility to carry out her work professionally.
“A carer is in a position of power in relation to those in their care, and she abused this position. I’d like to thank the victim in this case for doing a brave and difficult thing talking to us. I hope this case sends a message to victims in similar positions that you will be listened to and you will be supported.”
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