Fake RAH nurse Brandon Chesney caused allergic reaction, bruising to patients, court told

A patient treated by a man posing as a RAH nurse has confronted him in court, telling a magistrate he wrongly removed an IV and caused an allergic reaction.

An unqualified man impersonating a Royal Adelaide Hospital nurse stole medical supplies and failed to correctly remove an IV cannula from a patient – who suffered an allergic reaction when he administered the wrong tape, a court has heard.

Brandon Chesney, 23, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday for sentencing submissions after pleading guilty to serious criminal trespass, dishonestly taking property, possessing prohibited material (identity theft), possessing an unregistered firearm, and being unlawfully on premises.

At his last appearance, Chesney, from Newton, also pleaded guilty to a further two counts – contravening conditions of his L plates and driving without L plates – relating to his actions in the carpark of the hospital in June.

Brandon Chesney, centre, leaves court accompanied by supporters. Picture: Dean Martin

One of Chesney’s victims, Erin, read a victim impact statement to the court, saying she has “lost trust in all male professionals” after being “indecently exposed”.

“I had bruising on my ring finger after having my blood sugars taken,” she said.

“I find myself responding in a panicked way when approached by male staff in a health setting. I cannot face it alone anymore. I simply refuse to seek help because this incident has impacted me so much.

“I used to dream of being a nurse – it’s all I ever wanted to do – but that dream was taken away from me.”

In September, Chesney pleaded guilty to all charges against him – admitting he fooled the RAH by posing as a nurse, gained access to medical supplies and obtained false ID documents.

Chesney pleaded guilty to fooling the RAH by posing as a nurse. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Documents previously released by the court reveal Mr Chesney had been onsite at the RAH “without lawful excuse” 13 times between April 12 and June 12 in 2023.

On Wednesday, Magistrate Ben Sale told the court Chesney had written three separate apology letters, but noted he still failed to take responsibility for his offending and that his account of events was “implausible”.

“How do I unread what I’ve read that appears in these documents?” Mr Sale said.

“Isn’t it concerning for me in terms of his rehabilitation that despite these matters having been on foot for a long time – despite his guilty pleas having been entered – this suggests he’s not actually taking responsibility for what he’s done. He’s still trying to minimise, rationalise and deflect.

“I still think the content traverses the plea because I don’t see anywhere an acknowledgment.

“It troubles me that I may be told something by you in submissions but what I have from Mr Chesney is essentially: ‘I did nothing wrong except overstep the bounds’ … Well, he’s breached the criminal law – he hasn’t overstepped some strict policy and procedures.”

Mr Sale adjourned the matter until February for further submissions.