A Nigerian healthcare assistant at York Hospital, Adewale Kudabo, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after sexually assaulting a female patient under his care.
Kudabo, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and was convicted at York Crown Court on Tuesday.
The victim, who was almost entirely immobile due to a serious medical condition, was assaulted twice while confined to her hospital bed.
The prosecutor, Henry Fernandez, told the court that the first incident happened after Kudabo gave the patient a bed bath. He then leaned over and kissed her on the lips. The victim tried to turn away but couldn’t resist because of her condition.
A few days later, Kudabo returned to offer another bed bath, which the woman declined. Despite this, he kissed her again while she lay helpless in bed.
The victim was in a lot of pain and almost completely dependent on others for her care. Since the incidents, she has experienced ongoing trauma, including feelings of helplessness, fear, loss of trust, depression, anxiety, and recurring flashbacks.
The incidents occurred nine months after Kudabo arrived in the UK from Nigeria. At the time, he worked as a healthcare assistant at York Hospital and lived in the South Bank area of the city.
When questioned by police, Kudabo claimed he kissed the woman on the forehead, not the lips. He said his actions were meant as a gesture of sympathy and said it was “in keeping with his job.”
Kudabo’s defence lawyer, Jerry Sodipe, said the defendant accepted his behaviour was inappropriate but pointed out his previously clean record.
Judge Alex Menary sentenced Kudabo to 12 months in prison, saying: “You abused the trust placed in you as a carer. She was particularly vulnerable — immobile and dependent on you for her care. I am satisfied the kiss was on the lips, not the forehead. What you did has had a profound impact on the victim’s life.”
The judge added that because of the seriousness of the offence, an immediate custodial sentence was necessary. Kudabo will serve half of the 12-month sentence in prison and the remainder on licence (probation). He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
