Hospital worker jailed for kissing patient 9 months after he arrived UK

Image of Adewale Kudabo

A Nigerian healthcare professional, Adewale Kudabo, 47, has been sentenced to one year in prison for sexually assaulting a patient at York Hospital in the United Kingdom. Kudabo, a married family man, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault after kissing the vulnerable patient on the lips without her consent.

Incident Details

The incident occurred while Kudabo was working as a health assistant at the hospital, nine months after arriving in the UK from Nigeria. The patient, who was suffering from a serious health condition that made her effectively immobile, was left feeling "confused and uncomfortable" after the assault. Kudabo had been allocated to bathe the patient, and after completing the task, he kissed her on the lips. When questioned by the police, Kudabo claimed he had acted out of sympathy for the patient and thought he was showing her comfort. 

Court Ruling

Judge Alex Menary ruled that Kudabo had "abused the trust" placed in him as a medical professional, emphasizing that the seriousness of the offense warranted an immediate jail sentence. Kudabo's defense barrister, Jerry Sodipe, argued that his client had shown remorse for his actions and had no previous convictions. Kudabo will serve only half of his 12-month sentence before being released on prison license. 

Aftermath

Kudabo has lost his job at the hospital following the incident. The court ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries in healthcare settings.