A rapist from Stevenage who pretended to be gay to gain the trust of his victims before he assaulted them has been banned from ever working as a paramedic again.

Yesterday a panel of the Health and Care Professions Council struck Christopher Bridger’s name off its list of approved healthcare professionals, banning him from ever working in the health industry again.

Bridger, of York Road in Stevenage, was convicted of five serious sexual offences, including rape, following a 13-day trial at Guildford Crown Court in July last year.

The 26-year-old is currently serving a minimum of 12 years’ imprisonment.

After his conviction the HCPC decided to review his membership of its organisation and found Bridger unfit to ever work in the health sector again.

Panel chairman Brian Wroe said: “The registrant entered a plea of not guilty to each of the charges and was found guilty following a 13 day trial.

“This showed Christopher Bridger lacks the insight into the circumstances which resulted in the convictions and does not take responsibility for his actions.”

Bridger carried out the sexual assaults in Addlestone, Walton-on-Thames and Epsom and was jailed in September. In addition to the jail sentence he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

An interim suspension order has been put in place before his name is removed to cover any possible appeals.

Bridger did not attend the hearing and made no representation during it.