Royal Hobart Hospital nurse claimed ‘I am not a rapist’ after Tinder attack

A judge has admonished a former Royal Hobart Hospital intensive care nurse who raped a woman he met on the dating app, Tinder. Latest from court.

Royal Hobart Hospital

A former Royal Hobart Hospital intensive care nurse has been sent to jail after raping a woman he met on Tinder.

Wyatt Alexander Griffin, 25, stood trial in the Supreme Court of Tasmania after pleading not guilty to a count of rape dating back to 2022.

But the jury found in favour of the woman, with Acting Justice Brian Martin describing her as an “impressive witness who was obviously telling the truth”.

While sentencing last week, Acting Justice Martin said Griffin and his victim met on Tinder, with their conversations moving to Snapchat, before the pair met for a drink.

After their meeting, the woman explained to Griffin that she wanted to stay platonic friends only.

They remained friends for a few months until the night in question, when Griffin got access to her home under the “false pretence” of needing to debrief after a bad shift at work.

Despite the woman saying no repeatedly and her attempts to resist, Griffin put his body weight on her and raped her.

Acting Justice Martin said the woman “froze” during the rape, then afterwards curled up in the foetal position, “paralysed emotionally and unable to move” while Griffin slept.

The acting judge said the woman had since suffered post traumatic stress disorder and dissociative episodes.

“I felt so dirty and tarnished afterwards, and I still fight that feeling even now,” the woman said in a statement.

“No matter how often I shower I feel like I can never get the unwanted touch of the feeling off my skin.”

Acting Justice Martin said the woman spoke of feeling ashamed and embarrassed after the crime.

“It must be said loudly and clearly; (the woman), and other victims like her, have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about,” he said, noting her courage in coming forward.

Griffin, who studied nursing in Victoria, has since resigned from his job at the Royal Hobart Hospital and has returned to live with his family in the state’s northwest.

The acting judge said Griffin had repeatedly said to police: “I am not a rapist”.

“I do not know whether you believed that statement at that time. But it would not be unusual for men to believe that type of statement when the crime has not been accompanied by physical violence restraining or overcoming resistance,” he said.

“That type of attitude or belief among men must cease. It cannot cease soon enough. Even if a victim submits and does not physically resist, nevertheless the crime of rape is a crime of violence.”

Griffin was jailed for four years, with a non-parole period of two years.

His name will be listed on the sex offenders’ register for five years upon his release from prison.

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