Nurse jailed for sexual assault at UCLH struck off register

Joseph Castro James Justin, a nurse formerly employed at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), has been removed from the nursing register following his conviction for sexual assault. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) ruled that his actions were incompatible with remaining a registered nurse.

Assault and Conviction

The assault took place on August 18, 2020, when Justin, then 34, performed an inappropriate examination on a female patient in the A&E department. He intentionally touched the patient's vagina and breasts without her consent. Justin was arrested eight days later. He denied the offences but was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault at Wood Green Crown Court in July 2025. He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely. He is currently serving his sentence at HMP Maidstone.

NMC Ruling and Patient Impact

A fitness to practise panel of the NMC considered the case. The panel noted that the patient suffered significant psychological harm due to the assaults. According to sentencing remarks from Judge Blackwell, quoted by the panel, this harm included the development of an eating disorder, self-harm, and the patient becoming a "virtual recluse for many months", losing her "care-free adolescence".

Aggravating factors identified by the panel included an abuse of a position of trust, the patient's vulnerability, "predatory behaviour and isolation within a clinical space", and the sustained nature of the assault. The panel concluded that Justin's offending indicated a "deep-seated attitudinal issue" with no evidence of insight, reflection, or remorse. They determined that his continued practice would undermine public confidence in nursing.

The NMC panel ordered that Justin be struck off the nursing register. An interim 18-month suspension order was also imposed, pending the outcome of a 28-day appeal period.