Gold Coast nurse who targeted six teen girls to stay behind bars
Updated ,first published
A mental health nurse accused of having a foot fetish and targeting vulnerable young patients will remain behind bars after a judge described the matter as “deeply disturbing”.
Father-of-three Derek George Jackson, 58, has been refused bail after being charged with 12 offenses that allegedly occurred over nearly four years on the Gold Coast.
Jackson appeared at Southport Magistrates’ Court via video link on Monday, closing his eyes and shaking his head as a long list of allegations, including an alleged foot fetish, were detailed.
He is accused of using his position of trust to target six teenage girls, all of whom were ill and many of whom were receiving treatment through the Child and Youth Mental Health Service.
All of the girls had complex mental health problems, including acute crises, suicidal ideation and serious self-harm.
The nurse was arrested by Gold Coast Child Protection and Investigations Unit detectives on Saturday following investigations into the alleged offending between November 2020 and May 2024.
Prosecutor Jacinta Raven told the court Jackson’s behavior was not a spur of the moment mistake but was directed at highly vulnerable children.
Jackson allegedly liked “young, slim girls” and remained at her bedside without any clinical reason to be there.
Raven said this behavior could be summed up as “wandering around the kids’ rooms.”
Jackson was allegedly sometimes seen sitting on their bed or in a chair, going through his phone and asking intrusive questions about their sex life.
“The court is deeply troubled by the crimes before the court,” said Judge Nerida Wilson.
Jackson allegedly had a sexual interest in girls’ feet, a foot fetish he claimed in court, and was supported by downloads, search histories and messages from his mobile phone.
Police said that he had child abuse material and that Jackson also produced such material.
He described a teenager’s behavior as “disgusting, strange and creepy” and referred to him as a pedophile, a court heard.
One of the alleged victims was identified as a teenager whose suicide sparked a groundbreaking review of Queensland youth mental health care.
An alleged victim also died in a motor vehicle accident.
Legal Aid lawyers told the court Jackson would contest the charges and did not enter a plea.
The court heard Jackson was stopped by detectives at his international departure point at Brisbane Airport as he was about to fly to Asia, claiming he was traveling for general dental work.
Authorities discovered he was carrying two Australian passports, both valid at the time.
The judge said he was satisfied there was an “unacceptable risk” that if he was released he would both fail to attend the hearing and commit further offences.
Wilson refused bail and demanded Jackson reappear by video link on 14 July.
Police asked anyone with more information to contact them.
Jackson previously worked at Gold Coast University Hospital and in the community mental health team.
He was charged with 12 offenses against six teenage girls, including stalking, indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, abuse of power, possession of child abuse material and creation of child abuse material.
A Gold Coast Health spokesman said it was aware of the allegations involving a member of staff and was co-operating with police.
“When this was brought to our attention immediate action was taken, including contacting the Queensland Police Service and removing the employee from the workplace,” the spokesman said.
“We understand that staff are now remunerated by QPS.
“As a values-based organisation, staff and patient safety are of paramount importance to us and we take these matters extremely seriously.
“We will continue to cooperate with QPS as this matter progresses.”
