Care worker is struck off after conviction for sex assaults

A care home worker convicted of sexually assaulting two of his colleagues has been banned from working in the sector.

Washington Manenji was told by a care watchdog his behaviour was “fundamentally incompatible with working in the social services profession”.

The former Ballumbie Court Care Home worker was convicted in August after Dundee Sheriff Court heard evidence from his two victims.

On November 9 2017 he groped one woman over her clothing and attempted to hug her and rub her shoulders without consent at the home.

Between December 2-3 the same year he assaulted a second woman by turning off the light in the room they were both in and groping her from behind.

He also grabbed her arm and stroked it, and rubbed her shoulders and back without consent.

Following a hearing at Compass House in Dundee, a panel convened by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) ordered that Manenji be struck from the register for his behaviour.

The panel concluded: “This is a very serious matter and is fundamentally incompatible with working in the social services profession.

“Given the serious nature of your offences, there are clear public protection and public interest risks posed by your continued registration.”

Manenji, a first offender was ordered to complete unpaid work. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

The panel decided that anything other than striking Manenji from the register would undermine “the continuing trust and confidence in the social service profession”.