Marc Manning, a 36-year-old occupational health worker from Glenmore Crescent, Thornton-Cleveleys, near Blackpool, has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting nine men while employed by a private company conducting health screenings for firms in north-west England.
Manning carried out the offences by duping the men into believing they were receiving routine hernia tests as part of standard work-based health checks. In 2018, he was assigned to a major employer and conducted 205 examinations, which legitimately included checks for height, weight, blood pressure, eyesight, discussions of medical issues, and urine samples. However, Manning exploited his position to perform unauthorised and inappropriate 'hernia checks' on multiple victims, abusing the trust placed in him as a health professional.
The case came to light in February 2021 when a health and safety advisor at the company was contacted by a worker inquiring about an upcoming appointment. The worker revealed that during a previous check by Manning, he had undergone what was described as a hernia examination, and other colleagues reported similar experiences. Another health technician confirmed that such tests were not part of standard screenings and that they were not qualified to perform them. It later emerged that Manning had been dismissed from his occupational therapy role prior to these revelations.
Upon his arrest by Cumbria Police, officers discovered two mobile phones containing hundreds of covertly filmed videos of men undressing in changing rooms or using toilets. Although none of the voyeuristic footage related directly to the examinations—many of which took place in Cumbria—Manning admitted to two counts of voyeurism in addition to the sexual assault charges at an earlier hearing at Carlisle Crown Court.
Prosecutor Harriet Lavin explained during the sentencing: 'Due to the fact the victims weren't entirely sure what their health checks should entail, they describe trusting the defendant and presumed what he was doing to them was legitimate and required.' The victims expressed profound impacts, feeling 'violated' and 'humiliated', with their trust in health professionals severely damaged, leading to apprehension about future medical appointments. One victim stated: 'He has completely abused his power and position... It is so bad what he has done to us all.'
Judge Richard Archer, presiding at Carlisle Crown Court, described Manning's actions as a 'gross breach of trust' that 'cannot be overestimated', emphasising that the offending was intentional and committed for Manning's own sexual gratification. In addition to the custodial sentence, Manning was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register and comply with the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order, both indefinitely.
The case was reported by BBC News on 12 May 2022, highlighting the severity of Manning's abuse of authority in professional health settings across north-west England, including Cumbria.