A UK-based Nigerian caregiver, Bilikesu Olagunju, has been sentenced after disturbing CCTV footage revealed her abusing a vulnerable 88-year-old dementia patient, just a day before he was found unresponsive and later died.
The incident occurred on Christmas Eve 2022 at the home of John Attard in Bexley, Kent. Olagunju, who had worked for care agency Unique Personnel UK for just six days, was captured dragging the elderly man across the floor, threatening him, and ignoring his cries of pain.
“Maybe I will beat you up. I will flog you,” she was heard saying during the 45-minute ordeal, shown in court.
The footage also showed her stripping Mr. Attard in view of the street, spilling hot coffee on him, and forcing marmalade into his drink despite his diabetic condition. Mr. Attard, who was supposed to remain still, was moved by Olagunju against agency advice.
She pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to a charge of ill-treatment or wilful neglect of a person lacking mental capacity. The judge sentenced her to six weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with 50 hours of unpaid community service.
The next morning, Mr. Attard was found unresponsive in bed with injuries by his son, Chris Attard, and later died in hospital. Although his death could not be directly attributed to the abuse, his family believes the trauma significantly worsened his condition.
“The sentence is an insult,” said Chris Attard. “What kind of deterrent is that?”
Judge Charlotte Welsh criticized both Olagunju and the care agency. “Your actions showed a total failure to treat Mr. Attard with dignity and respect,” she stated.
Olagunju, who wept silently in court, expressed remorse through her lawyer, who said she was suffering mental anguish and accepted full responsibility. She had no previous convictions and was newly arrived in the UK at the time.
The victim’s family is now calling for accountability from Unique Personnel UK, which has yet to issue any public statement.
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