Hospital Worker Found Dead

29 September 2011, 11:16 | Updated: 29 September 2011, 11:27

A hospital worker charged with sexually assaulting male patients on a stroke ward has been found dead at his home.

Ameet Mohabeer, 28, (right) who was a healthcare assistant at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Bedfordshire, was due to appear at Luton Crown Court on Monday 3 October 2011.

It's emerged his body was discovered at his home in Butely Road, Luton on Sunday 25 September.  He had been on bail facing 13 charges of sexual assault on males and four of causing men to engage in sexual activity.

The sexual assaults were alleged to have occurred while he was on duty at Ward 17, a specialist stoke ward. He had worked there for 18 months until the allegations surfaced in February this year.

When the news broke a help line was set up to allow men who had been treated on the ward to speak to detectives.

Hospital bosses contacted former stroke patients who were asked to come forward if they felt they may have been subject to any behaviour that made them feel anxious or uncomfortable.

In a statement at the time the hospital said it had "written to all patients who were cared for in the recent past on the ward to find out if there are any other concerns." It went on to say "the allegations relate to staff conduct and do not relate to any clinical issues or the medical treatment of patients."

Bedfordshire police said they would continue to offer support to the victims.

One former stroke patient said "I had the police here on Monday afternoon and they told me he had committed suicide the previous night. They said they wanted to tell me before it was on the news but they wouldn't tell me anything else about what had happened.

"When it happened to me I was told that I was imagining it. It wasn't taken seriously. It's not the sort of thing you imagine though, is it?

"You go into hospital to be treated and to get better, not to be sexually assaulted."

A spokesperson  for Bedfordshire Police confirmed that Mr Mohabeer was found dead at his home and that his death was not being treated as suspicious.

She said "No further details can be given until an inquest had been opened, which will be in the next few days. Obviously we will continue to support victims and help them with any specialist support they need."

A spokesman for the Luton & Dunstable Hospital said "We have learned this week of the death of Mr Ameet Mohabeer who had worked at the L&D and who was due to stand trial at Luton Crown Court in October.

"Staff at the hospital have been informed and we understand the trial will not be taking place."