A Nigerian-born caregiver, Bilikesu Olagunju, based in the United Kingdom, was captured on hidden camera violently mistreating 88-year-old dementia patient John Attard—just days before his death.
The disturbing incident occurred on Christmas Eve 2022 at Mr Attard’s residence in Bexley, Kent, and was recorded by a surveillance camera installed by his son, Chris Attard.
According to Mail Online, Olagunju had been working as a care worker for just six days when she was caught on video stripping the elderly man, yanking him by his collar and arm, and ignoring his repeated pleas that she was hurting him.
At one point, she threatened, “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.”
The footage also showed her pouring marmalade into Mr Attard’s coffee despite knowing he was diabetic, further endangering his health.
The following morning—Christmas Day—Mr Attard was found unresponsive, with blood streaming down his face. He was rushed to the hospital and died ten days later without ever regaining consciousness.
A post-mortem examination was inconclusive in linking his death directly to the abuse.
Olagunju, who was employed by Unique Personnel UK at the time, pleaded guilty to one count of ill-treatment or wilful neglect of a person lacking mental capacity. At Woolwich Crown Court in south-east London, she received a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 50 hours of mandatory unpaid community service.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Chris Attard called the sentence “an insult,” saying he believed the abuse played a role in his father’s death.
“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?”