LONDON — A United Kingdom court has sentenced Adewale Kudabo, a former healthcare worker at York Hospital, to one year in prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a patient in his care.
Judge Alex Menary, delivering judgment on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, told Kudabo he had “abused the trust” placed in him as a medical professional, highlighting the vulnerability of the victim.
“You abused that trust,” the judge said.
Kudabo, who entered guilty pleas to two counts of sexual assault on the first day of his trial in April, was ordered to serve half of his sentence in custody before becoming eligible for release.
The court heard that the patient suffered lasting psychological harm as a result of the assaults, including anxiety and flashbacks.
Prosecutor Henry Fernnandez detailed the events, explaining that Kudabo had been assigned to bathe the patient, who was in significant pain.
After completing the task, Kudabo kissed the patient on the lips — an act she was unable to avoid due to her physical condition.
“The patient was left in a state of confusion and felt uncomfortable,” Fernnandez said.
A few days later, Kudabo reportedly approached the patient again, offering another “bed bath” and attempting to kiss her a second time.
York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which oversees York Hospital, issued an apology following the conviction.
“We offer our sincere apologies to the victim,” the trust said, adding that Kudabo had left his position shortly after the incidents occurred.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Jerry Sodipe said Kudabo had no prior criminal history and had expressed genuine remorse.
“He has held up his hands to say, yes he is guilty – he shouldn’t have done that,” Sodipe told the court.
Sodipe noted that Kudabo, who moved from Nigeria to the UK with his family for work, had lost his job and acknowledged that his conduct was “inappropriate and unacceptable”.
