A UK court has sentenced a Nigerian healthcare worker, Adewale Kudabo, to one year in prison after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a female patient by kissing her without consent at York Hospital.
Kudabo, 47, who worked as a carer at the hospital, committed the assaults while assisting a patient who was in pain, according to evidence presented in court.
Prosecutor Henry Fernnandez told the court that Kudabo was assigned to bathe the patient. Although the bathing itself was not inappropriate, the misconduct occurred shortly after.
“When he finished bathing the patient, he leaned over and kissed her on the lips.” Fernnandez said, as reported by York Press.
Despite her physical discomfort, the victim attempted to recoil but was unable to prevent the kiss. The incident left her confused and distressed.
Fernandez said a few days later, Kudabo again offered the woman a “bed bath” and attempted to kiss her for a second time.
“The victim tried to pull away, but Kudabo managed to kiss her on the lips again.” Fernandez continued.
The court heard that the victim has since suffered from anxiety and experiences flashbacks as a result of the assaults. She later reported the incidents to the police.
Kudabo, who lived on Count De Burgh Terrace in the South Bank area of York, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on the opening day of his trial in April.
During sentencing on June 10, Judge Alex Menary noted that the victim had placed her trust in Kudabo who had “abused that trust.”
The judge emphasized that the seriousness of the offence warranted an immediate custodial sentence and ordered Kudabo to serve at least half of the one-year term before being eligible for release.
Defence lawyer Jerry Sodipe told the court that Kudabo had no prior criminal record and expressed genuine remorse.
“He has accepted full responsibility, he was moved by the patient’s suffering and, though misguided, thought a kiss might comfort her. He now understands how inappropriate and wrong his actions were,” Sodipe stated
Since the incident, Kudabo has lost his job and is no longer employed by the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
In a statement following the sentencing, the Trust said: “We offer our sincere apologies to the patient affected. Patients should always feel safe and respected while in our care, and we deeply regret that this was not the case.
“We acted swiftly and the individual left our employment soon after the incident came to light,” they added.
