Healthcare assistant jailed for sexual assaults

A man who sexually assaulted five women while working at a Lancashire hospital has today (Thursday, May 4) been jailed.

Hernando Puno, 52, of Onslow Road, Blackpool, was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court.

Police launched an investigation into Puno’s offending in March 2021 when he was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a colleague at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. This led to further victims coming forward and reporting sexual assaults from between 2014 and 2020. Puno and the victims were working as health care assistants at the hospital.

Puno was later charged with a series of sexual assaults. He pleaded not guilty but following a trial was convicted on eight counts.

He was sentenced to nine months in prison.

Det Ch Insp Jill Johnston, of Lancashire Police, said: “Today’s sentence is for those victims who came forward, showing tremendous bravery in confronting their attacker.

“Puno is a predatory individual, who targeted younger female healthcare assistants. He dismissed the behaviour as a ‘bit of fun’ accepting no responsibility for the way that he made his victims feel, claiming during the trial that he didn’t care whether his victims consented to his actions.

“Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating offences of this nature, no matter how historic, and no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender. Sexual harassment and sexual assaults must not be tolerated in the workplace. Everyone should be able to come to work in the safe knowledge that they are not going to be subjected to this disgusting conduct.

“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.

“We welcome the sentence handed down at court and hope it serves as a warning to others who commit such crimes.”