Care home laundry worker accused of raping 76-year-old

A man responsible for the laundry at Freshfields care home in St Budeaux, has gone on trial accused of raping a 76-year-old resident who has dementia.

Accused man's wife alerted police

Himwanth Ramkishun, aged 54, who sorted the care home’s laundry, is on trial at Plymouth Crown Court, following the rape of an elderly woman at the care home.

The court heard Mr Ramkishun’s wife Ivorine Ramkishun, who works as a duty manager at the Plymouth care home, alerted police after finding a condom.

Ivorine Ramkishun was unaware the condom carried traces of her husband’s DNA, the court was told.

Mr Sapiecha for the Crown Prosecution Service said staff changing her incontinence pads found the condom on 10 June and Mrs Ramkishun was then asked to retrieve the condom as the duty manager.

'Initially thought it was a latex glove'

Care worker Sharon Phillips and another staff member first spotted the condom, while getting the woman ready for a bath.

Ms Philips told the court: “I initially thought it was a latex glove between her legs. I was fuming to be fair. I called Ivorine, the nurse in charge."

The 76-year-old woman, who has not been named, died months after the incident, which is believed to have taken place between 8-11 June last year.

David Sapiecha for the Crown Prosecution Service said the elderly resident could not look after herself or consent to sex.

The court was told Mr Ramkishun had access to all residents' rooms to collect laundry.

Mr Ramkishun denies the charges against him. He is currently on bail. The trial continues.