A Kenyan man working at an elderly care facility in Perth, Australia, has been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to engaging in inappropriate conduct with an elderly resident suffering from dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
James Ng'ang'a Irungu, 30, confessed to three counts of indecent interaction with a vulnerable individual during a court hearing, as reported by the Kenyan Diaspora Media.
Raised in a strict Christian household in Kenya, Irungu had concealed his homosexuality, a detail that emerged during the trial.
Irungu, who arrived in Australia in 2023 to further his studies at a local university, was employed at the care facility when the offences occurred.
The court heard that Irungu had coerced the elderly resident, a man in his 80s, into participating in a sexual act.
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The victim's condition made him particularly vulnerable, given his struggles with both dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
The sentencing judge, Sefton, handed down three separate sentences of eight months, twelve months, and sixteen months for the charges.
The first and third sentences are to be served consecutively, resulting in a total effective sentence of twenty-four months.
Although Irungu was granted parole, Judge Sefton noted that Irungu's visa status might be affected, potentially leading to his deportation back to Kenya.
This case has highlighted significant concerns regarding the safety and care of vulnerable elderly individuals in facilities meant to protect them, and the implications of hiring practices for care workers from overseas.
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