A NURSE suspended after being accused of a string of serious sex crimes against a child is expected to find out next week if she can resume her career in healthcare.

Rhona Sharman, who worked for NHS Lothian in West Lothian for more than 25 years, faced a number of sexual allegations in 2011.

The case against the 52-year-old, who began as a domestic assistant before working her way up to the position of staff nurse, did not make it to trial after the Crown Office decided summary proceedings should only be taken against her husband Douglas Sharman, also charged with sexual offences, following a review of evidence. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) launched its own separate probe and suspended Ms Sharman for a period of 18 months in 2012 while it completed the investigation, which has since been finalised. A hearing is due in Edinburgh next week at which she could be struck off, or allowed to return to the profession if the allegations are not proven.

Among the charges she will face at the NMC hearing are that she was involved in sexual activity with a child, caused and/or encouraged a child to participate in sexual activity with a man, caused a child to be present while she engaged in sexual activity with the same man, took an indecent video of the child, allowed the man to take indecent videos of the child and offered and/or supplied them with alcohol.