A Suffolk support worker accused of exchanging inappropriate text messages with a vulnerable man in her care has been convicted by a jury.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday ( August 29) was 33-year-old Naomi Richards, of St Edmund’s Road, Stowmarket.

She had denied engaging in sexual activity with a man with a mental disorder in her care between May and June 2019 while she was a support worker and was cleared of this offence after a three day trial.

She had also denied inciting the alleged victim to engage in sexual activity but was convicted by a jury.

Judge Emma Peters adjourned sentence until November 1 for a pre-sentence report.

 During her trial the court heard that Richards was sacked after the alleged victim showed one of her colleagues messages from her on the alleged victim's phone.

Matthew Sorel-Cameron, prosecuting, claimed that Richards, who has no previous convictions, sexually touched the man, who was in his 30s, while she was working as a support worker in the supported accommodation in Bury St Edmunds where he was living.

The court heard that after the messages on the alleged victim’s phone were discovered Richards was suspended and then dismissed after an internal investigation.

The matter was reported to the police and in a recorded interview played to the court the alleged victim claimed she had climbed on top of him while they were watching a film.

He also claimed she had rubbed him all over his body and had exposed her breasts.

Mr Sorel-Cameron said in text messages exchanged between Richards and the alleged victim they had described themselves as boyfriend and girlfriend and spoke of their love for each other.

She had also allegedly said in one text that she had “enjoyed every minute of what they had done downstairs” and asked him if she had enjoyed kissing her.

She had also allegedly told him to keep their relationship a secret.

When Richards spoke to police she denied touching the alleged victim, who is described as having a mental disorder, sexually and said she had been “naive and stupid” to exchange messages with him.