Nigerian ex-carer jailed for eight years in UK after robbing vulnerable elderly victims

Nigerian ex-carer jailed for eight years in UK after robbing vulnerable elderly victims

A Nigerian former care worker, Ediongseyene Essien, has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the United Kingdom after carrying out a series of burglary and robbery offences against elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people in Liverpool, including some individuals he had previously cared for.

Essien, 32, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, August 28, after being convicted of multiple offences committed in the city.

According to Merseyside Police, he received three years for burglary and five years for robbery, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively, resulting in an eight-year custodial term.

Police said Essien, who is a Nigerian national, will serve 30 per cent of the sentence before being deported from the UK. A restraining order covering his six victims has also been imposed.

The offences began shortly after Essien was suspended from his job as a carer following allegations of theft.

Police said he was suspended by his employer on March 9. The following day, he carried out four separate burglaries in the L6 area of Liverpool, targeting elderly and vulnerable people, including individuals for whom he had previously provided care.

In the first incident, Essien stole a bank card from a blind and vulnerable man and subsequently used the card to make several transactions in the surrounding area.

Investigators later established that Essien was familiar with the property because of his previous care role. He was able to gain entry using information connected to a coded key safe outside the home.

Essien subsequently entered the home of another elderly resident and went into the person’s bedroom. Police believe nothing was stolen during that incident.

Later that evening, at about 7.30pm, he gained entry to the home of a severely disabled, bedbound resident. Police said Essien searched through the property but apparently left without taking anything.

The most serious incident that day occurred at about 9pm when Essien smashed the rear patio door of an elderly couple’s home.

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The couple were inside when they saw him enter their living room. Essien stole a wallet containing cash before leaving the property.

The incidents did not end with the March burglaries.

After being arrested on March 16 and later released on conditional bail while investigations continued, Essien was linked to two further robbery offences on May 15.

At about 2.20pm, he reportedly forced his way into the home of a vulnerable man with several health conditions and stole cash from the living room.

Later that day, around 5pm, Essien approached a vulnerable woman carrying a walking stick in the Fairfield area of Liverpool and forcibly took her handbag.

The woman attempted to defend herself with her walking stick, but Essien managed to take the bag, which contained cash and bank cards.

Police arrested Essien again on May 17, after which he was charged with the robbery offences and remanded in custody.

The case highlighted the particular vulnerability of some of Essien’s victims, several of whom were elderly, disabled or living with serious health conditions.

Police also said his previous employment as a carer gave him knowledge of some victims and their living arrangements, making the offences particularly concerning.

Detective Inspector Kevin O’Rourke of Merseyside Police condemned Essien’s actions, describing the offences as particularly reprehensible because he had previously cared for some of the people he targeted.

“Essien committed a series of reprehensible burglary and robbery offences against people he had previously cared for, and other vulnerable victims,” O’Rourke said.

He said it was difficult to comprehend that someone whose professional responsibility was to care for vulnerable people would subsequently target some of those same individuals, as well as other elderly and unwell people.

The detective said the victims had experienced significant distress as a result of the offences and praised them for their patience and cooperation throughout the investigation.

“Essien has today been given a significant prison sentence, which we hope brings a measure of comfort to those he harmed,” O’Rourke said.

Merseyside Police also highlighted the role of CCTV and doorbell camera footage in investigations into burglary and robbery offences, encouraging residents to report suspicious activity and take appropriate steps to secure their homes.

The case has renewed attention on the importance of safeguarding elderly and vulnerable people, particularly those who depend on professional carers for assistance in their homes.

For some victims, Essien’s previous position of trust meant he was familiar with their homes and, in at least one case, had knowledge that enabled him to gain access to the property.

Beyond the financial losses, the offences caused significant emotional distress to victims who were confronted in their homes or physically targeted in public.

Merseyside Police confirmed that a restraining order has been imposed in relation to all six victims.

The eight-year sentence represents the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against Essien, although he is expected to serve only part of the sentence in the UK before being deported.

The case underscores the serious consequences of exploiting positions of trust to target people who may be particularly vulnerable to crime.

It also highlights the need for effective safeguarding measures and careful monitoring when individuals are placed in positions that give them access to vulnerable people and their homes.

Nigerian ex-carer jailed for eight years in UK after robbing vulnerable elderly victims