Nigerian care worker jailed eight years in UK over attacks on elderly, vulnerable victims

A Nigerian care worker has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted of robbing and burgling elderly and vulnerable people, including individuals he had previously cared for.

Ediongseyene Essien, 32, was found to have targeted some of the most vulnerable members of society, including a blind wheelchair user living with cerebral palsy.

In one of the incidents, Essien allegedly kicked the disabled man out of his way before taking his bank card.

In another case, he broke into the home of a couple in their 80s through the back door and stole money, leaving the elderly victims terrified.

Essien was suspended by his employers after serious allegations of theft were made against him.

The court handed him a three-year prison sentence for burglary and an additional five years for robbery, bringing his total sentence to eight years.

He is expected to serve about 30% of the sentence before being deported from the UK.

The offences have raised concerns about the vulnerability of elderly and disabled people who rely on carers for assistance and, in some cases, grant them access to their homes.

The case was particularly distressing because some of Essien’s victims had previously trusted him to provide care and support.