An operating theatre nurse has been charged with 20 offences, with most of them allegedly committed in a Sheffield hospital against the patients and staff.

According to South Yorkshire Police, 13 of the charges against Paul Grayson, 51, allegedly took place at the Day Case Theatre Unit of Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

The charges are 10 counts of voyeurism and three of sexual assault against five staff members and four patients between 2017 and 2020. He was charged on Wednesday, 8 December.

The remaining charges are unrelated to the Sheffield hospital, according to a police spokesperson. These include one count of taking indecent photographs of a child, three more counts of voyeurism and three of making indecent photos of children.

Chief Superintendent Shelley Hemsley, district commander for Sheffield, said: “I know this case is extremely unsettling. These charges follow an extensive investigation carried out by officers in our Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) department.”

He also said that three of the patients remain unidentified and it seems highly unlikely that they will be.

He said: “Despite this, we have pursued charges on behalf of these women so that the judicial process can continue.”

Grayson is due at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court next year on 4 February.

Professor Chris Morley, chief nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We understand that some patients treated in the Day Case Theatre Unit at the Hallamshire Hospital between 2017 and 2020 may wish to speak to us and can call on 0114 2715757.”