An elderly carer caught on CCTV forcing an elderly patient with dementia to perform a sexual act on him repeatedly will likely be deported when his prison sentence ends.
Kenyan immigrant James Ng’Ang’A Irungu, 27, was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to three counts of indecent dealing with an incompetent person.
Irungu, who described himself as a “closet homosexual”, worked as an elderly carer at The Queenslea in Claremont, south-west of Perth, until March.
Her duties included caring for an 83-year-old male patient who suffered from dementia and Parkinson’s disease, which caused his arms and hands to shake uncontrollably.
The man’s daughter installed a security camera and was horrified when she reviewed the footage to see her father being forced to perform a sexual act three times.
The WA District Court heard that Irungu placed the man’s hand on his genitals inside his pants, the alphabet reported.
When the victim withdrew his hand, Irungu moved it backwards, Judge Alan Sefton was told.
The man’s daughter reported the horrible crime to the police and Irungu was arrested and charged in March this year. He has remained in prison since then.
Kenyan migrant James Ng’Ang’A Irungu (pictured) has been sentenced to prison after forcing an 83-year-old man with dementia to perform a sexual act multiple times.
The only explanation he gave police for his actions was that he had “repressed” his sexuality and was struggling to pay for his postgraduate studies in mechanical engineering at Edith Cowan University, the court heard.
Irungu’s despicable acts caused “tremendous embarrassment” to his elderly victim and the man’s health deteriorated following the incident. The patient died in July.
A prosecutor told the court that Irungu had “exploited… vulnerabilities for his own gratification”.
Irungu’s lawyer told the court his client had “repressed his sexuality” and now had a “deep sense of shame” after receiving a strict Christian upbringing at home in Kenya.
The court also heard that Irungu had faced financial difficulties since arriving in Australia in 2023.
Judge Sefton said the victim needed a significant level of care and was unable to defend herself against sexual interference.
“You selfishly betrayed that trust (placed in you),” he told Irungu.
‘You were in a position of care.’
Judge Sefton said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crimes.
Irungu’s duties included caring for an elderly man who suffered from dementia and Parkinson’s disease, which caused his arms and hands to shake uncontrollably (file image)
Irungu was sentenced to eight months, 12 months and 16 months respectively for the three charges.
The first and third charges are cumulative, making the total sentence 24 months.
The sentence was retroactive to when he was first arrested in March.
Judge Sefton told Irungu that “his visa will likely be cancelled and he will be deported” when his sentence ends.
Irungu describes himself on his LinkedIn profile as a “versatile mechanical engineer with a passion for electrical and renewable energy.”
He had completed several engineering internships in Kenya before coming to Australia to continue his studies.
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