UK Court jails Nigerian healthcare worker for kissing patient
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Nigerian healthcare worker, Adewale Kudabo, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted of sexually assaulting a female patient.
According to The Press (Yorkpress.co.uk), the offences occurred while Kudabo was employed as a health care assistant at York Hospital.
Prosecutor Henry Fernnandez stated that the incidents took place during his duties on the ward.
Presiding over the case, Judge Alex Menary condemned Kudabo’s actions, saying he had “abused the trust” placed in him as a medical professional.
The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees York Hospital, expressed regret over the incident and confirmed that Kudabo left his position shortly after the offences came to light.
Mr Fernnandez explained that Kudabo, 47, had been assigned to bathe a patient who was in significant pain. Although the inappropriate behaviour did not happen during the bathing itself, Fernnandez said the first incident occurred immediately afterward.
“When finished bathing the patient, Mr Fernnandez said Kudabo leant down and kissed her on the lips.”
Despite being in considerable discomfort, the victim tried to move away, but was unable to avoid the kiss.
“She was ‘left in a state of confusion and felt uncomfortable’ by the incident,” Fernnandez told the court.
A few days later, the prosecutor said Kudabo approached the same patient again, asking if she wanted another bed bath, before repeating the unwanted advance.
“The victim attempted to ‘get away’, Mr Fernnandez said, but was unable to avoid Kudabo kissing her on the lips for a second time.”
The victim subsequently reported the matter to police. The court was told the experience left her dealing with anxiety and recurring flashbacks.
Kudabo, who resides at Count De Burgh Terrace in South Bank, York, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on the opening day of his trial in April.
Judge Menary said: “The victim had ‘placed her trust’ in Kudabo,” adding directly to him: “You abused that trust.”
The judge handed down a 12-month sentence on Tuesday, June 10, ordering that Kudabo serve at least half of it before being eligible for release.
He stated that the severity of the offences warranted an immediate custodial sentence.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Jerry Sodipe told the court Kudabo had no prior convictions and showed genuine remorse.
“He has held up his hands to say, yes he is guilty, he shouldn’t have done that,” Sodipe said.
He added that Kudabo believed he was offering comfort due to the patient’s visible pain, but now recognised his actions were entirely inappropriate.
“Mr Sodipe said Kudabo was ‘moved to sympathy’ due to the pain experienced by the victim and thought he was showing her comfort by kissing her.”
“But Mr Sodipe said Kudabo accepted his actions were ‘inappropriate and unacceptable.’”
Kudabo had relocated from Nigeria to the UK with his family in search of better opportunities, but has since lost his job as a result of the conviction.
Following the hearing, a spokesperson for the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust issued a public apology.
“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 decisively, and the individual involved left our employment soon afterwards,” the spokesperson said.
