Canvey: Care worker sentenced after sexually assaulting resident

A carer who had sexually assaulted one of the residents in the facility she worked in has been given a restraining order and placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Between 2021 and 2022 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, she began contacting the victim directly via social media before sending intimate images to them and initiating sexual contact.

She 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 Ruckert and her abuse of power while working as a carer.

She was interviewed a second time in December 2023 before she was charged on 15 April 2024 with five offences, three of a care worker engaging in sexual activity with a mentally disordered person with no penetration, and two with penetration.

And, after initially denying the offences, she pleaded guilty three counts of sexual assault with no penetration. The other two charges will lay on file.

At Basildon Crown Court on Monday 11 November, 29-year-old 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.

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Emma Taylor said:

“As Her Honour Judge Leigh said when sentencing 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.”

Would your loved ones ever describe your behaviour as threatening or intimidating? Do you often recognise yourself manipulating the people around you?​ 

​If this sounds familiar it’s time to #Reflect on your own behaviour.​ 

At Essex Police we put victims at the heart of everything we do. The Victims’ Code explains the rights that everyone can expect to receive as a victim of crime, and helps us define what we must do for all victims from their initial contact with our force until the conclusion of their case.

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