Adewale Kudabo, a 47-year-old Nigerian man working as a healthcare assistant, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for sexually assaulting a severely immobile female patient at York Hospital in the United Kingdom.
Kudabo, who had only been in the UK for nine months after relocating from Nigeria, admitted to two counts of sexual assault during a hearing at York Crown Court. The incidents took place while he was employed to care for vulnerable patients, including the woman he assaulted.
The court was told that the victim, who suffered from a serious medical condition that left her nearly immobile, was assaulted twice in her hospital bed. The offences occurred while Kudabo was supposed to be providing professional medical care and support.
According to the prosecution, Kudabo took advantage of the woman’s vulnerable state to engage in inappropriate and non-consensual physical contact. The victim was reportedly unable to move or resist due to her physical condition, making her especially dependent on those caring for her.
One of the assaults included an instance in which Kudabo kissed the woman on the lips instead of the forehead, a deliberate and inappropriate act given the nature of his role and the patient’s condition. This action was cited in court as a breach of both professional boundaries and the patient’s trust.
The presiding judge emphasized the gravity of the offence, describing Kudabo’s actions as a serious abuse of trust. The judge noted that Kudabo had exploited a helpless woman in a setting where she should have felt safe and protected. He added that the assaults caused lasting trauma to the victim and represented a clear violation of ethical and professional conduct expected in healthcare environments.
Kudabo was sentenced to 12 months in custody but will serve only half of that term behind bars before being released on license. In addition to his prison sentence, he has been placed on the UK’s Sex Offenders Register for ten years, which means he will be subject to monitoring and restrictions for the next decade.
The case has sparked outrage and concern about the safeguarding of vulnerable patients in hospitals. York Hospital, where the incident occurred, is part of the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. A spokesperson for the Trust stated that they fully cooperated with the police investigation and that appropriate measures were taken as soon as the allegations came to light.
The Trust also said it was reviewing its safeguarding and staff supervision procedures in response to the incident to ensure such breaches of trust cannot happen again. They reiterated their commitment to the safety and dignity of all patients.
Kudabo, a married father, had no prior criminal record and had moved to the UK in search of better opportunities for himself and his family. However, his actions within a relatively short time of arriving in the country have led to criminal conviction and imprisonment, as well as long-term reputational consequences.
The case highlights the importance of stringent background checks, ongoing supervision, and robust reporting mechanisms in healthcare settings to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse. Law enforcement and healthcare officials have both emphasized the need for vigilance and immediate reporting of any inappropriate behavior by care staff.
As part of his sentence, Kudabo is also expected to face professional consequences, including potential disqualification from working in any healthcare or care-related capacity in the future. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether he will face deportation after serving his sentence, but immigration consequences often follow in cases involving serious criminal convictions.
This case has brought renewed attention to how hospitals and healthcare facilities vet and monitor staff who have direct access to vulnerable patients. It also serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining strict professional boundaries in caregiving environments.
