A hospital worker with daily access to children has been arrested after police caught him trying to meet a 14-year-old boy on hospital grounds.
Mark James, who works in the X-Ray department at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, allegedly arranged to meet the boy in the toilets during lunchtime. The boy was actually part of a police sting operation.
James, who has access to sensitive hospital files and medical records, exchanged numerous texts with the underage boy. Despite knowing the boy’s age, he pressed ahead with plans to carry out illicit acts at the hospital.
Investigators recovered graphic images James sent to the boy and footage shows the worker admitting to the “sick acts” during a live sting operation at his Portsmouth flat near the hospital.
When confronted, James dismissed his behaviour as “stupid” and seemed more worried about his partner finding out he used the dating app Grinder than the grooming charges against him.
James is currently in custody at Portsmouth Central Police Station, awaiting questioning by detectives from Hampshire Police.
A Queen Alexandra Hospital spokesperson said: “We are aware that a serious allegation has been made against a member of staff and we have commenced a full internal investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the details of the case at this time.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
