A psychiatric nurse from Yeovil has been sentenced to seven years in prison after engaging in a sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient under his care. Adam Culverwell, 53, who worked as a Community Psychiatric Nurse for Dorset Healthcare Trust, took advantage of his position between September 2016 and December 2020.
The abuse came to light in June 2021 when a report was made to Dorset Police indicating that Culverwell had violated professional boundaries. Following a detailed police investigation, charges were filed against him in June 2024.
At Bournemouth Crown Court in April 2025, prosecutors presented evidence that Culverwell knowingly exploited the victim’s mental health condition, breaching the trust inherent in his role. On June 6, he was convicted of ten counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder by a care worker and one count of inciting such activity.
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Detective Constable Chloe Riley of Dorset Police commented on the case: “The victim was vulnerable, and Culverwell abused his professional responsibility for his own sexual gratification. We commend the victim’s courage in coming forward and assisting throughout the investigation and court proceedings. This outcome underscores our commitment to supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice.”