‘Predatory’ Melbourne nurse Darren Laycock banned for having sex with vulnerable patients

An nurse who had sex with vulnerable patients under his care has copped a whopper of a ban for his “abhorrent” efforts.

A Melbourne nurse who had sexual relations with vulnerable patients at various locations including a hospital, a park, a car and his home has been suspended for 10 years.

Darren Laycock had sex with two patients in his care while working at a Melbourne hospital unit in 2015, the Victorian and Civil Administrative Tribunal was told.

Laycock touched a patient’s breasts, kissed her, digitally penetrated her and had her perform oral sex while in her hospital bed.

Laycock, who told the patient he loved her, asked the woman to perform oral sex on him while they sat in her car near the hospital.

Laycock, a father, also had sex with the patient at his home while his children slept in another room, the tribunal found.

The nurse also asked the patient to sign out of the hospital so he could meet up with her.

Laycock told the patient he wanted to leave his wife for her then had her perform oral sex.

Laycock also kissed and touched the breasts of a second patient and placed her hand on his crotch while at the hospital.

“See what you do to me,” Laycock allegedly said.

Laycock repeated his lewd conduct while sitting with the patient on a park bench.

He then led the patient to a nearby toilet where he attempted to perform oral sex and sexually penetrate the woman.

Laycock also asked the patient to perform oral sex but she refused.

During a later hospital admission Laycock kissed the patient, touched her breasts and asked her to perform oral sex.

Laycock then moved the patient’s head to his crotch and she performed oral sex, the tribunal found.

The hospital launched an investigation on Laycock after patients referred his conduct to other nurses.

A Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia investigation stalled after Laycock was charged with criminal offences including rape.

The criminal charges were “discontinued” in mid-2017, the tribunal was told.

The board resumed its investigation and referred the allegations to the tribunal seeking findings Laycock committed professional misconduct.

Laycock, who denied engaging in sexual conduct with the women, claimed the patients had “colluded to manufacture the allegations”.

The tribunal, who found Laycock to be a “most unimpressive witness”, was presented with evidence and testimony including a series of text messages between Laycock and the patients.

“I just got told you kissed another girl in here your (sic) in big trouble as another patient is telling (nurse manager),” a patient texted Laycock.

“I can’t believe you I thought you gave a s*** obviously you just used me.”

The patients were also asked to describe Laycock’s penis and if he had tattoos or not.

“It is readily apparent that engaging in non-clinical communications with patients is inappropriate,” the tribunal said.

“The intimate and sexual behaviour we have found occurred between Mr Laycock and the two patients was entirely inappropriate and inconsistent with the relevant standards.

“Mr Laycock failed to maintain the boundaries that should, and ordinarily do, delineate the relationship between a nurse and his patient …

“We are comfortably satisfied that the factual matters … are proven.”

Laycock told the tribunal he “felt like a new person” after he “tried my kids’ Ritalin”.

“What I did wrong was terrible, I can’t say I’m sorry enough,” Laycock said.

“I have a good career now … I’m not a danger to society … this is the first time that I’ve ever done something wrong in my (20-year) nursing career.

I just need twelve months to get back on track and show that I can be a nurse again.”

“I love nursing to the bone, what more do I have to say?”

The tribunal ruled on Friday Laycock committed professional misconduct.

“We have found (Laycock’s conduct) to be utterly disgraceful and abhorrent,” the tribunal said.

“He has engaged in predatory behaviour towards vulnerable patients.

“We consider his behaviour warrants the most serious sanctions available …

“We have decided to reprimand Mr Laycock … cancel his registration, disqualify him from applying for registration for 10 years from today.

“Mr Laycock doesn’t accept the wrongdoing, doesn’t show any insight, or accept any responsibility of what’s gone on.”

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