York, UK — A Nigerian healthcare worker, Adewale Kudabo, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for sexually assaulting a female patient at York Hospital.
The incident, which occurred while Kudabo, 47, was employed as a healthcare assistant, involved inappropriate conduct towards a vulnerable patient in his care. According to prosecutor Henry Fernandez, Kudabo was assigned to assist the patient with bathing due to her severe pain and limited mobility. Although no offences occurred during the bathing process, it was afterwards that Kudabo crossed professional boundaries.
Mr Fernandez told the court that upon completing his duties, Kudabo leaned down and kissed the patient on the lips. Despite her considerable pain, the victim attempted to recoil but was unable to avoid the kiss entirely.
During the sentencing, Judge Alex Menary condemned Kudabo’s actions, stating that he had “abused the trust” placed in him as a medical professional responsible for patient welfare.
The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which operates York Hospital, has expressed its “sincere apologies” to the victim. A spokesperson confirmed that Kudabo left his position at the hospital shortly after the offences took place.
The case has sparked further conversations about safeguarding vulnerable patients within healthcare environments, with hospital authorities pledging to review internal protocols to prevent future incidents.
Kudabo will serve his 12-month sentence in a UK prison.
Written by: LIIE IMMIGRATION
