Former Worthing Hospital cleaner jailed for rape

Mani Kurian, 50, of Eridge Road, Eastbourne, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court following a trial which started in January.

Kurian was initially charged in July, 2015, with four counts of sexual assault through touching and common assault.

Three of the sexual offences took place at Worthing Hospital between 2013 and 2015, and he sexually assaulted a teenage woman in Hampden Park, Eastbourne in 2015. The common assault took place at Eastbourne District General Hospital in 2015. None of the victims were patients.

Kurian appeared in court on 18 July and was bailed but was later charged with the rape of a woman in Eastbourne which dated back to 2014. A further charge of sexual assault through touching was also added to the indictment following an incident at Eastbourne District General Hospital in 2014.

After the sentencing, Detective Inspector Neil Ralph said: “Mani Kurian is a sexual predator who targeted women both in the workplace and in public. Today’s sentence brings a successful resolution to what has been a long ordeal for the victims involved.”

Director of facilities and estates at Worthing Hospital David Jones said: “We are extremely shocked by the actions of Mani Kurian and our thoughts are with all his victims.

“We take any allegation of criminal activity very seriously and having helped the police with their investigation we are pleased justice has been served.”

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