Eric Patrick
A Nigerian care worker based in the United Kingdom, Bilikesu Olagunju, has been caught on camera subjecting 88-year-old dementia patient, John Attard, to disturbing physical and verbal abuse—just days before the elderly man’s death.
The shocking incident occurred on Christmas Eve 2022 at Attard’s residence in Bexley, Kent, where Olagunju had been working for only six days.
Footage from a hidden camera installed by the family captured Olagunju threatening, roughly handling, and verbally assaulting the vulnerable patient, who repeatedly cried out in pain. In the video, she can be heard saying: “Maybe I will beat you up. I will flog you. I will take you to the GP to get injections. I will call the police on you.”
She was also seen forcefully stripping the frail man, pouring marmalade into his coffee despite his diabetic condition, and dragging him by the arm and collar.
On Christmas morning, Mr. Attard was found unresponsive with blood on his face. He was rushed to the hospital and remained in a coma for 10 days before passing away.
Although a post-mortem examination could not conclusively link the abuse to his death, the family insists the trauma significantly contributed to his decline.
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At the time of the incident, Olagunju was employed by Unique Personnel UK. She pleaded guilty to one count of ill-treatment or willful neglect of a person lacking mental capacity.
At Woolwich Crown Court, she received a suspended sentence of six weeks in prison, valid for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid community service.
Reacting to the ruling, John Attard’s son, Chris Attard, expressed outrage at what he described as a lenient sentence.
“If those cameras hadn’t been there, that person could still be out there treating elderly people like this,” he said. “I was expecting a suspended sentence, but the length and community service aspect is an insult. What kind of deterrent is that?”
The case has reignited public concern about safeguarding measures for vulnerable patients in the UK’s care system and the need for stricter penalties for abuse in caregiving roles.
