YORK, UK — Adewale Kudabo, a 47-year-old Nigerian healthcare worker, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for sexually assaulting a female patient while employed at York Hospital, according to court records and reports from The Press (Yorkpress.co.uk).
The offences occurred when Kudabo was assigned to bathe the patient, who was in considerable pain. Prosecutor Henry Fernandez explained that the assaults did not occur during the bathing but afterwards, when Kudabo leaned down and kissed the patient on the lips. Although the patient tried to move away, she was unable to avoid the unwanted kiss and felt confused and uncomfortable.
A few days later, Kudabo again attempted to kiss the patient after offering another “bed bath,” which she also tried to avoid. The victim later reported the incidents to the police.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that the victim experienced anxiety and flashbacks related to the assaults. Kudabo pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault at the start of his trial in April.
Judge Alex Menary stated that Kudabo had “abused the trust” placed in him as a healthcare professional and emphasized that the seriousness of the offences required an immediate custodial sentence. Kudabo must serve at least half of the one-year sentence before being eligible for release.
Defence barrister Jerry Sodipe acknowledged Kudabo’s remorse and noted that Kudabo claimed his actions were misguided attempts to comfort the patient. Kudabo moved to the UK with his family for work but has since lost his job.
The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement apologizing to the victim and affirming that patients should feel safe and respected in their care. The Trust confirmed Kudabo left his employment soon after the incident was reported.
