Nurse charged with sexually assaulting aged care resident
- Charges laid: Assistant nurse charged over alleged resident sexual assault.
- Investigation: Police began investigating after a June 2026 report.
- Whiddon response: Accused no longer employed by the provider.
- Next hearing: Accused to face court on 7 September.
An assistant nurse has been charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a 79-year-old aged care resident at a facility in Maclean in NSW's Northern Rivers district.
Dylan Bowring, 27, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault of a victim with cognitive impairment, aggravated sexual touching of another person, and aggravated carrying out a sexual act with another.
The incident occurred between November 2023 and February 2024, but Police only began investigations in June 2026 after they received a report of the alleged incident.
Bowring was arrested on Monday (13 July) at Grafton Police Station. He appeared in court the same day, where he was formally refused bail.
Operator Whiddon, which acquired the aged care home in October 2025, after the alleged incident occurred, said they are aware of the serious allegations.
"While the alleged incident predates Whiddon's management of the home, we take any allegation concerning the safety and wellbeing of residents extremely seriously.
"We can confirm that the accused is no longer employed by Whiddon.
"Once we were made aware of the matter, we actively investigated and reviewed our current safeguarding processes, and have been supporting our residents, families and team members.
"We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and are unable to provide further details while investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing.
"The safety, dignity and wellbeing of our residents remains our highest priority and we are deeply shocked and saddened by the reports."
Bowring is due to appear in Grafton Local Court on 7 September 2026.
