Man jailed over sexual assaults at nursing home

A home care worker was sentenced to 23 months in prison for sexually abusing a “highly vulnerable” resident as well as a coworker. According to testimony given in the city’s crown court, 45-year-old Fazal Mateen committed the crimes while employed at Burger Court in Bradford, a residential care facility that assists adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues. The tribunal heard how Mateen, of Tivoli Place, Bradford, continued to deny the assaults even after entering a guilty plea to two counts of sexual assault.

His Honour Judge Christopher Smith, who sentenced Mateen on Friday, stated that individuals employed in the care industry were aware of their “responsibility to protect” residents at Burger Court and other such locations. According to the court, Mateen’s coworker committed the first violation in June 2022 when he seized the woman’s hand and put it on his crotch. It was heard that the woman did not disclose that incident until a year later, when she learnt of the defendant’s second sexual assault.

Judge Smith stated that the resident who was assaulted was “inherently vulnerable” and had “complex mental health problems” that prevented her from overseeing her own care. Just before midnight, Mateen discovered the woman by herself, according to Judge Smith, and attempted to seize her hands and bring them to his crotch. “Making a comment on what she was wearing” was another inappropriate touch he made, according to the judge. Mateen was informed by him, “A few hours later you warned her not to tell anyone,”

Mateen defended himself by submitting what looked to be an employment reference from an anonymous local council member who praised his passion and recommended him for any unidentified position. Judge Smith gave the defendant some credit for entering an early guilty plea, claiming that this prevented the “highly vulnerable” nursing home resident from testifying under cross-examination, but he rejected the document as mitigation. Mateen’s lack of regret, however, was chastised by the judge, who said, “In your case, there is none at all.”

“Reading the pre-sentence report is unsettling. Judge Smith remarked, “You told the probation officer that these things hadn’t happened.” “It feeds into the risk that you are thought to pose.” Mateen was informed that he will spend around half of his time behind bars. The judge further stated that he would be subject to several other limitations after his release, such as being prohibited from interacting with his victims or working with children.

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