A depraved nurse who worked on a respiratory ward during the Covid crisis turned to online sex offenses for 'comfort', accumulating a stash of sick images and sharing obscene stories about children.

Rebecca Ruler, 32, was found to have a collection of sadistic child abuse images and wrote disturbing sexual articles about children and babies for a group of paedophiles, Preston Crown Court heard.

Ruler, who was a ward manager at Royal Bolton Hospital, was on the frontline of the Covid crisis. Kim Obrusik, her defense attorney, argued that "It was the worst time in recent history that someone could be working on those wards."

However, prosecutor Peter Barr countered, "It was she who initiated the discussions by expressing her sexual interest in children. There was no evidence of coercion."

Ruler was sentenced to a suspended prison sentence, reported LancsLive.

Between April 2021 and April 2022, Ruler downloaded 151 category A child abuse pictures, along with 101 category B and 134 category C images. She also crafted five obscene articles for an online chat with five paedophiles. When questioned, she claimed the conversation was started by a man she was in an online relationship with and that she was using the chat to impress him.

Ms Obrusik argued that Ruler had mild depression exacerbated by her work, as she witnessed patients she cared for die alone, without family or friends, on a daily basis. "As we come out of the pandemic it is easy to forget the horrors of what was occurring. The demands, both physically and emotionally, can not be quantified."

Following a relationship breakdown, Ruler began struggling with her body image and found it difficult to confide in loved ones. "She encouraged the contact from males in respect of these types of discussions as she realised this was a way to receive male attention", Ms Obrusik said. "She was feeling that she would never gain any sexual interest from males and this is how she got that interest."

Judge Richard Gioserano stated: "Seeking comfort from strangers is one thing but she knew these were paedophiles."

A pre-sentence report indicated Ruler, who now works in a supermarket, expresses "significant remorse for her actions". "Prior to this she was a woman of exemplary character, working in a job that is known to be very giving through what was and remains to be the most difficult period for the NHS in living memory", Ms Obrusik said.

Ruler, from Springfield Road, Coppull, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images and five counts of publishing an obscene article.

Judge Gioserano said, "I have asked myself how it is that your thinking became not just distorted but so depraved that you committed these eight offences. I will start by stating the obvious: distorted thinking, no matter how depraved, does not in itself attract a criminal sanction. You are not being sentenced for distorted thinking or depraved thinking in itself. You are being sentenced for acting on that thinking by downloading indecent images and engaging in messaging about sadistic and sexual abuse of very young children."

He handed Ruler a 12 month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered her to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. She must also complete 35 days of rehabilitation activities including a one-to-one sex offenders course, and has been made subject to a five year sexual harm prevention order and 10 years on the sex offenders' register.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council confirmed they are aware of the sentencing.