John Muttitt delivered medication on behalf of local pharmacy

A Brentford man has been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on elderly patients at local care homes. 78-year-old John Muttitt of Walnut Tree Road was convicted this Tuesday (11 April) at Isleworth Crown Court of offences against two women both of whom were over 85 years old.

Police believe he may have more victims in the area as he delivered medicines locally for a five year period and they are asking anyone else who was assaulted by him to come forward.

Muttitt was employed as a delivery driver by a local pharmacy and was responsible for bringing medications to elderly people at their homes or care homes in the area. He had been instructed not to enter properties and not to provide any medical advice.

The first incident was reported to the police in July 2013 by the daughter of a woman who raised concerns about sexual touching. The victim, who is partially blind and deaf and has mobility issues, had an arrangement with Muttitt to deliver her medication and he was provided with a key code to access the house. Muttitt entered the victim’s house and inappropriately touched her whilst pretending to carry out a medical examination, despite having no experience or the relevant qualifications.

Officers carried out enquiries in relation to this allegation with the pharmacy Muttitt worked for and he was consequently arrested and interviewed. He admitted to touching the victim when checking her heart but denied allegations of sexual touching and he was subsequently released owing to a lack of evidence.

Two further incidents with almost identical circumstances were reported to police in August 2015. Still working for the pharmacy, Muttitt had been delivering medicine to a second victim for a number of months and would often enter her house and talk for up to 30 minutes. On two occasions this victim, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s and has a speech impediment and mobility issues, welcomed Muttitt into her home and he inappropriately touched her, taking advantage of her vulnerability.

The victim reported the incidents after confiding in her carer and officers arrested Muttitt again for sexual touching. When officers attended the address to take Muttitt into custody, it was established that another woman made an allegation of sexual touching to the warden against him.

Muttitt’s third victim who suffers from dementia said she was grabbed and kissed while she stood at her door. Officers carried out enquiries with other women Muttitt delivered medication to however no further allegations have been made to police.

He was charged with four counts of sexual touching on 16 July 2016 and convicted of two offences relating to the first two victims that came forward. He was found not guilty of the offences relating to the third victim.

PC Ben Lawrence-Smith, from Hounslow Community Safety Unit said. “Muttitt took advantage of the fact that these victims were elderly, vulnerable, and often living alone. Due to having mobility issues the victims used a pharmacy delivery service as a way of obtaining their medication without difficulty and Muttitt abused his position of trust. There may very well be other victims who have yet to come forward. We know that Muttitt was delivering medication to patients in the Hounslow area between 2010 and 2015 and would urge anyone who has yet to come forward to do so.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police in Hounslow on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Muttitt will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 26 May.

April 13, 2017