A healthcare assistant in Ireland, who raped a 73-year-old woman in his care, at her nursing home has been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.

Emmanuel Adeniji committed the assault during the Covid-19 lockdown in Ireland, three months ago. He was recorded on CCTV going into and coming out of the woman’s room at the nursing home.  She was found later by another member of staff, in a distressed state.

On sentencing the man, Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted the offence had involved a vulnerable elderly lady who was totally alone and helpless and was confined to her room due to the Covid-19 lockdown. He noted the offence had taken place at 3am and she had been without help until later in the morning.  The judge went on to say that  this was an egregious breach of trust by a qualified and experienced healthcare worker.

Despite suffering from Alzheimer’s the woman was able to make a statement to Gardaí when  they were called to the home.

Adeniji was arrested 11 days later after the assault, but denied raping the woman. A DNA sample from him matched one taken from the resident.

At trial, the healthcare worker pleaded guilty to raping the woman.  He had 15 years experience working in the care industry and, had no previous convictions.

The woman’s family have said that the assault has had a devastating effect on her. She is afraid of anyone coming into her room and checks to make sure the man has not returned to attack her again.

This extremely sad case, is an example of how no amount of pre-employment security checks on apparently trustworthy and experienced  individuals, will ever prevent opportunistic sexual assaults being perpetrated. It also is a very sad example of elder abuse, and yet another challenge for the struggling care sector.

Written by James Chambers at BLM

james.chambers@blmlaw.com