A trusted carer sexually assaulted a patient with severe disabilities, probably while they slept, a court heard.

Naguib Lootfun’s depraved act only came to light when a colleague discovered a used condom in the bedroom.

When confronted the 69-year-old, from Maidstone, said it must have fallen out of his pocket after having sex with his wife earlier.

But a forensic examination found traces of both his and the victim’s DNA.

Lootfun was suspended while a major criminal and safeguarding investigation got underway.

A specialist team of officers then uncovered another condom with semen matching his.

Ultraviolet light and swabs were used to find more traces on the floor, bed and a curtain in the room. Further samples were collected from another patient’s room.

The court heard Mauritian-born Lootfun, a registered nurse, was allowed to work without supervision.

One colleague said they would have “trusted him with the most vulnerable person”.

Suspicions about his behaviour were raised when a colleague found Lootfun looking “disturbed”.

Later on, they found the condom.

The court was told it was clear Lootfun felt he had been “caught out” and left the room in a hurry without disposing of the item.

A mobile phone taken by police revealed an inappropriate picture of another resident taken two years earlier.

The court heard that, on the day a safeguarding inquiry was launched, he completed an application for a job to look after another vulnerable person.

The victim was described as “very affectionate, lovely, gentle and very trusting”, by another carer.

A relative of the victim, who attended today's sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, had her emotional witness statement read out by prosecutor Daniel Stevenson.

She wrote that the case had broken her emotionally.

She said: “He might as well have done it to us. We’re all going through this.”

The victim was described as “defenceless” and “not even able to cry out”.

Lootfun had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice between May 6 and 9 and between April 30 and May 9.

Mr Stevenson, said: “It’s very likely the victim was asleep when this activity took place.

“He’s deeply ashamed of his actions and wishes to apologise to families and colleagues, although he realises these are hollow words”

“It’s difficult to perceive a more vulnerable victim.”

Houzla Rawat, for the defence, said: “He fully accepts and admits all the facts brought by the prosecution.

“He’s deeply ashamed of his actions and wishes to apologise to families and colleagues, although he realises these are hollow words.

“He is 69 and not in good health. There is every possibility he will end his days in prison.”

In sentencing Judge Julian Smith said Lootfun was held in “a position of trust at the highest level. He was held in high regard”.

He said: “He has selected and targeted his victim because of vulnerability.”

He added that his actions had a far-reaching effect on family and colleagues who had been left “horrified” and “betrayed”.

Judge Smith sentenced him to 15 years in jail to run concurrently on each charge. He will not be considered for parole until he has served two-thirds of this term

Lootfun spent the the entire hearing sat bowed with his head in hands. As he was led down to the cells he wept.

Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber said: “Lootfun completely abused his position of trust and committed abhorrent acts against a vulnerable person, who was unable to defend themself nor subsequently report the offences.

“He knowingly took advantage of the victim’s vulnerabilities and even fabricated an excuse for the evidence pre-emptively, to cover his tracks.

“The judge recognised Lootfun as a dangerous offender, and he will therefore be required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before he will be able to apply for parole.

“I hope it brings some comfort and closure to all those involved with this case to know that Lootfun will be serving a significant custodial sentence and will be unable to cause further harm.”