Mental health nurse jailed for raping vulnerable patients

A mental health nurse has been jailed for life for raping and sexually assaulting vulnerable patients.

Vijay Bundhun, of Tonford Lane, Canterbury, Kent, was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court of four counts of rape and nine counts of sexual assault against six victims. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 11 years.

Bundhun was first accused of sexually assaulting a patient in her 20s. He persuaded the woman to let him give her a massage before he attacked her while her child was in the room.

Another victim told police how he attacked her while she was undergoing treatment and taking strong medication and was unable to fully understand what was happening to her at the time.

The 42-year-old was also convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at an address in Canterbury.

Detective Constable Rebecca Taft, of Kent Police, said: “Bundhun took advantage of his victims when they were at their most vulnerable and did not feel as though they could do anything about it.

“One of his victims, in particular, felt powerless to stop Bundhun from raping and assaulting her and did not tell anyone about the incident for a long time. Their ordeals rendered their mental health treatment pointless and in fact sent them backwards in their progress.

“Bundhun’s despicable actions have tainted the excellent and expert work of mental health workers all over the county.

“Despite their trauma, his victims all found the courage to come forward and report his actions and for that I commend them.”

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2015, All Rights Reserved.