A carer from Canvey has been sentenced after sexually assaulting one of the residents in a care home that she worked in.

Suzanne Ruckert, of Atherstone Road, Canvey, worked at a care home in the Castle Point district between 2021 and 2022 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.

This led to the start of Essex Police's 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 April 15, 2024, with five offences.

These included three counts 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, November 11, 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, Det Con 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 would 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.”