Trust's treatment based on need

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd Apr 2008

Cornish Flag

Cornwall Primary Care Trust (PCT) has reassured patients that treatment is based on need rather than personal circumstances. It follows criticism of its treatment of a rape victim who was told he was "too grubby" to be treated. The 50-year-old victim was attacked by Levi Lavers, 19, from Newlyn, Cornwall, after Lavers broke into his home. He was given six years in youth custody.

Now the PCT wants more information from the victim for its investigation. Prosecutors at Exeter Crown Court said the victim had been "abominably" treated by the NHS after the attack.

Lavers was 17 at the time of the attacks, which he carried out after breaking into the victim's Newlyn home at night in July 2006. When confronted by the victim's neighbours, he armed himself with a knife and made threats to burn down the house and kill the victim before fleeing.

Prosecutor Michael Brabin told Exeter Crown Court: "It was only 10 days after the sex attacks that he had gone downhill so much that he was treated by the NHS. Following that, the full weight of social services was brought to bear and he was found a new home."

Lavers was found guilty of two charges of rape by a jury. He also admitted affray and was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. The PCT said no official complaint had been made by the victim or his family.