Gold Coast male nurse charged with child abuse offences is refused bail as he faces claims of 'preying' on vulnerable patients

By MAISY RAE and ROBYN WUTH IN BRISBANE FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 22:48, 16 June 2026 | Updated: 22:48, 16 June 2026 A Gold Coast nurse accused of stalking and allegedly sexually abusing six vulnerable young patients will remain behind bars after a court heard 'deeply troubling' claims about his behaviour.  Derek George Jackson, 58, was refused bail on Monday after being charged with 12 offences that allegedly occurred over a four-year period while working for Gold Coast Health. The father of three was a paediatric mental health nurse at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service's (HHS) Child and Youth Mental Health Service. Police allege Jackson used his trusted position to target six teenage girls, all of them patients and many treated through the youth mental health service, between November 2020 and May 2024. All of the girls were described as having complex mental health issues, including acute crises, suicidal ideation and serious self-harm.  While appearing before Southport Magistrates Court via video link on June 15, Jackson reportedly closed his eyes and shook his head as the long list of allegations – including his alleged foot fetish – were detailed. He was charged with six counts of stalking, two counts of indecent treatment of a child, and one count each of sexual assault, abuse of office, possessing child exploitation material, and creating child exploitation material.  Jackson was arrested two days prior at Brisbane International Airport just before he attempted to leave Australia on a one-way ticket to China. Paediatric mental health nurse Derek George Jackson is accused of sexually abusing six of his vulnerable young patients on the Gold Coast Police allege Jackson used his trusted position to target the girls in his care Giaan Ramsay, who died by suicide aged 17, was one of Jackson's alleged victims The court heard Queensland Health started an investigation into Jackson in September.  However, by then, some children, their family members and his colleagues had already come forward with complaints. 'At the time of, in particular the stalking and sexual assault offences [allegedly committed predominantly in 2023–24], there had been multiple complaints documented by family members, by the children themselves, and even by colleagues in relation to the conduct of the defendant,' Police prosecutor Jacinta Raven said. 'He has been advised of those complaints, and certainly he's been given instructions by his employer to cease this conduct, and it's the case that conduct has continued for quite a period of time.' Ms Raven told the court the girls had 'little opportunity to remove themselves from the situation as they were admitted to hospital because of their own needs'.  Jackson is alleged to have loitered in patients' rooms, sat on their beds, stroked their legs and feet in an unwarranted manner and asked them questions about their sexual history. He is also accused of attempting to communicate with them on social media and send them sexual images. Ms Raven said forensic analysis of Jackson's phone data indicated he has an interest in 'slender young females' and an interest in his patients' feet.  The court heard one of the complainants is Giaan Ramsay, a 17-year-old girl who died by suicide in 2025 just days after being treated at Robina Hospital’s adolescent mental health ward. He continued working at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service's (HHS) Child and Youth Mental Health Service for over a year after complaints were first made about him Jackson was arrested at Brisbane International Airport last week after detectives learned he planned to travel on a one-way flight to Asia Another complainant has since died in a car accident. Jackson's lawyer told the court he'd been on paid suspension since Queensland Health's investigation in September and would comply with bail conditions. However Magistrate Nerida Wilson refused bail, stating she was satisfied there was an 'unacceptable risk' he would both fail to appear and commit further offences if released. Jackson is expected to fight the charges. He is due to front court on July 14 via video link.  The investigation continues with Queensland police urging anyone in the community who might have additional information to come forward. Jackson's medical registration remains active on the health regulator AHPRA. The Daily Mail has contacted Queensland's Office of the Health Ombudsman for comment. National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.