A man who sexually assaulted a female member of staff at Northwick Park Hospital accommodation was allowed to continue living on site even after he was arrested. 

David Lockley, 55, of Pinner Road, Harrow, was also working at the hospital – as a contractor – at the time of the attack last year.

Lockley was found guilty of sexual assault at Harrow Crown Court in July, and issued with a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim as part of his sentence. 

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The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also living in the on-site workers’ accommodation when she was assaulted.

Lockley was allowed to continue living in staff accommodation despite being issued with a formal warning for violent behaviour towards other tenants before the sexual assault took place. 

Even after Lockley was arrested, he was not immediately evicted from the on-site accommodation, which is owned by housing association Network Homes.

A spokesperson for the housing association said: “Network Homes is committed to ensuring the safety of all our residents. We are aware of the case and took appropriate steps to ensure the ongoing safety of our residents. 

“As soon as we were alerted to the case we responded appropriately.”
The spokesperson said eviction proceedings were started against Lockley on December 21, with the offender moving out the following February.

Network Homes operates 696 homes at Northwick Park. 

A colleague of the victim said she was “disgusted” that Lockley was still able to work within the NHS, and also claimed the hospital did “little to help” after the assault was reported to senior staff.

London North West Healthcare NHS Trust spokeswoman Maeve Quinn said: “We are aware of an isolated incident last year involving a member of our staff. Full support has been, and continues to be, given to this member of staff during this difficult time.”

As well as the restraining order, Lockley was handed a 12-month community order, told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and made to sign the sex offenders register for the next five years.