NHS chiefs say they received no complaints about sex predator Anthony Carrington during his time employed as a health worker in St Helens.

The Star reported last month how Carrington, who is believed to have previously lived in Parr and Merton Bank, raped a 28-year-old woman in Leigh after luring her into his car.

The night earlier he molested girls aged 18 and 16 after cruising around Warrington in his car looking for sex.

At the time of the attacks Carrington was on long term sick leave from his job with the NHS Health Improvement Team in Parr.

The Star understands his role had involved employment at the Bold Miners’ Centre where he would put patients through health checks.

After the 54-year-old was sentenced to seven years in prison, one senior detective described him as a predator, who would have gone on to attack more women had the instincts of police officers not led to him being caught red-handed attacking the woman at a secluded spot in Leigh.

However, NHS managers say that all appropriate background checks were carried out on Carrington before he was employed in St Helens.

They added that no complaints emerged from his time dealing with patients or staff.

A spokesperson for Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust, which employed Carrington, said: “All appropriate recruitment checks were carried out prior to employment and he no longer works for the Trust.

“We have had no complaints about this individual from members of staff or patients.”