A United Kingdom court has sentenced a Nigerian healthcare worker, Adewale Kudabo, to one year in prison for sexually assaulting a patient under his care at York Hospital.
Kudabo, who admitted guilt to two counts of sexual assault at the start of his trial in April, was sentenced on June 10. The presiding judge, Alex Menary, condemned his actions, stating that Kudabo had “abused the trust” invested in him as a medical professional.
“You abused that trust,” Judge Menary said in court, emphasizing that the victim had been especially vulnerable at the time of the incident.
Prosecutor Henry Fernandez told the court that Kudabo was tasked with bathing a patient in severe pain. After assisting her, he reportedly kissed her on the lips—an act she tried to resist. Fernandez said the victim was left shocked and distressed.
Several days later, Kudabo allegedly approached the same patient again, offered to give her another bed bath, and attempted to kiss her a second time.
The victim, according to the prosecution, experienced emotional trauma as a result of the encounters, including anxiety and recurring flashbacks.
Kudabo, who had no prior criminal record, was described by his defence counsel, Jerry Sodipe, as remorseful and accepting of responsibility. “He has held up his hands to say he is guilty and acknowledges his wrongdoing,” Sodipe said.
The defence added that Kudabo had relocated to the UK with his family for employment purposes but lost his job following the incident.
In response, the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages York Hospital, issued a formal apology to the victim and confirmed that Kudabo left his role shortly after the assault occurred.
The court ruled that Kudabo will serve half of his 12-month sentence before becoming eligible for release.
