A UK-based Nigerian caregiver, Bilikesu Olagunju, has been handed a suspended six-week prison sentence after harrowing CCTV footage revealed her abusing an 88-year-old dementia patient, John Attard, during a shocking Christmas Eve ordeal in 2022.
The distressing incident, which took place in Bexley, Kent, captured the 42-year-old caregiver dragging the frail elderly man across the floor, stripping him in front of a street-facing window, ignoring his cries of pain, and threatening him over a 45-minute period. Mr Attard was found unresponsive by his son the following morning and died ten days later in hospital. Although his death was not officially attributed to the abuse, his family firmly believes the trauma hastened his decline.
“You are hurting me,” the elderly man pleaded as Olagunju spilled hot coffee on him, after pouring marmalade into his drink—despite knowing he was diabetic. She also threatened to beat him, flog him, and call the police to intimidate him. Her voice was caught on camera saying: “Maybe I will beat you up. I will flog you. I will take you to the GP to get injections.”
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Olagunju, who had only been employed for six days by Unique Personnel UK, was assigned Mr Attard as her first client with no prior training or experience in dementia care. She pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to one count of ill-treatment or wilful neglect of a person lacking mental capacity.
Presiding Judge Charlotte Welsh handed her a six-week prison term, suspended for 18 months, alongside 50 hours of unpaid community service. The judge expressed concern over the care agency’s decision to assign an untrained and inexperienced caregiver to a vulnerable patient.
“Your actions show a complete disregard for Mr Attard’s dignity and humanity,” Judge Welsh said. “The family has lost a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Their final memories of him are now forever stained by this abuse.”
Chris Attard, the victim’s son, broke down in court as he addressed Olagunju directly:
“You can never take back the memories you left my father with at the end of his life. Imagine I was on that CCTV assaulting your loved one—what sentence would you expect?”
Chris also criticised the care agency, Unique Personnel UK, describing their negligence as “criminal.”
“They should be in the dock with her. This is a care company sending unqualified people into the homes of vulnerable elderly patients without proper checks or training,” he said.
Olagunju wept quietly during the hearing. Her lawyer, Mr Tijani, said she was “deeply remorseful” and claimed she had no prior convictions.
“She had only recently arrived in the UK and accepts full responsibility for her actions,” he said.
Despite the conviction, many—including Mr Attard’s family—feel justice was not served.
“The sentence is an insult,” said Chris Attard. “If those cameras weren’t there, she might still be out there abusing other elderly people. What kind of deterrent is this?”
As of the time of reporting, Unique Personnel UK has not released an official statement regarding the incident or its internal policies.
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