Joshua Springer – Lincolnshire

A care assistant who filmed himself orally raping three elderly women at a Lincolnshire residential home has been jailed for 21 years.

Joshua Springer, 36, must also serve an extended licence period of six years on his release from jail after a judge was satisfied he was a dangerous offender.

Springer, of Cornstall Buildings, Stamford, had pleaded guilty to six counts of rape at the care home, which can not be identified because of a court order.

He admitted three further rape charges relating to a young woman elsewhere in the country, and three counts of making indecent images of children.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst said Springer’s offending was aggravated by the severe psychological harm he caused and the vulnerability of his victims.

“Each of these four women were vulnerable in their particular ways,” Judge Hirst stressed.

Judge Hirst said there was also a gross breach of trust in the targeting and recording his victims.

“I have read and heard the impact on each of the families from what you have done for no other reason than your own sexual gratification,” Judge Hirst told Springer.

Lincoln Crown Court heard matters came to light at about 10pm on June 18 last year when a work colleague walked in on Springer as he was abusing one of his victims.

Paul Raudnitz KC, prosecuting, described how the colleague approached Springer, who had been working at the home since February 2025, after hearing “muffled noises.”

“He (Springer) immediately jumped back, clawed at his trousers and said ‘oh f***’.”

Mr Raudnitz said Springer claimed his penis had fallen out and when a manager attended said it was “all a misunderstanding”.

Springer was suspended and escorted from the premises. He was arrested on suspicion of rape on June 19 but answered “No way”, adding: “I can explain”.

Mr Raudnitz said further incidents came to light when Springer’s mother disclosed messages and conversations to the police on July 22.

The court heard Springer wrote “Mum, I’m guilty”. He also admitted to making three services users give him oral sex which he filmed and orally raping a fourth victim some years earlier.

Springer also described himself as “a rapist and borderline paedo”.

Footage of Springer having oral sex with one of his elderly victims was subsequently recovered along with hundreds of indecent images of children, including five babies.

During a further interview on July 26, Springer admitted: “I don’t know why I did it, but I did.”

Mr Raudnitz told the court one of Springer’s victims showed visible signs of being disturbed following his assaults.

Springer must also obey the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.