Judge Slams Zimbabwe Care Worker Over ‘Warped Responsibility’ In UK Court
A Zimbabwean healthcare assistant has been jailed in the United Kingdom after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with a vulnerable mental health patient.
Nelson Ncube, 57, of Gratian Close, Highwoods, Colchester, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, 22 October 2025, after pleading guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder while being a care worker, EADT reports.
The offences were committed between late 2020 and early 2023 at a secure mental health hospital in Colchester.
Court hears disturbing details
The prosecution told the court that Ncube abused his role during long shifts, which sometimes lasted up to 12 hours. He was assigned to observe the patient, who was detained under the Mental Health Act and described as “acutely unwell.”
Although the ward had camera surveillance, there were blind spots in areas such as storage rooms and toilets. The court heard that Ncube used these locations to carry out the offences.
The prosecutor revealed that the behaviour escalated over time.
“It began with unexpected physical contact before escalating to overtly sexual acts,” the court was told.
Ncube also requested and exchanged explicit photographs with the patient.
Victim speaks out
The victim, who delivered her testimony in court, described the abuse as devastating.
“How dare you,” she told Ncube while he kept his eyes lowered in the dock.
She added:
“Very often you were part of the team restraining me. It must have been very clear to you I was intensely unwell. I felt ashamed, unclean and embarrassed. But with my improved strength and sense of self worth a feeling of clarity arrived – it was not my fault or responsibility, it was wholly yours.”
Judge condemns ‘warped sense of responsibility’
Judge Richard Kelly condemned Ncube for attempting to suggest that the victim had initiated the conduct.
“You showed a warped sense of responsibility,” the judge said.
Ncube, who had no previous criminal record, expressed remorse through his lawyer. His barrister told the court:
“He feels nothing but shame and guilt for his actions.”
Ncube will now serve his sentence in a UK prison after what the judge described as a serious breach of trust and responsibility.
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The post Zimbabwe Care Worker Jailed 4 Years In UK Over Mental Health Patients appeared first on iHarare News.
