An asylum seeker who masturbated in front of a woman who was recovering from surgery in University Hospital Limerick has been handed a 20-month- sentence backdated to the 2nd of July 2023.
The Irish Mirror reported Kadima Mbuye – who is from the Democratic Republic of Congo – entered the victim’s room and passed by a screen around her bed at 4am. He stood at the end of her bed where he proceeded to undo his trousers and masturbate.
A sitting of Limerick Circuit Court heard the victim was “terrified” when she realised what was happening and pretended to be asleep as she pressed the nurse-bell to alert staff.
In her evidence prosecuting counsel Lilly Buckle BL said the victim was in pain after her surgery when Mbyue (53) entered her room.
He has eight previous convictions and was described as a ‘serial flasher’.
The victim said that Mbuye -who was a patient at UHL – “continued masturbating” as the bell went off in a nearby nurses’ station.
Six of his previous convictions are for exposure of his genitals and public masturbation.
Liam Carroll BL defending Mbuye said his client is the subject of a deportation order on his release from prison. Carroll said his client is seeking “international protection”.
Gardaí arrested Mbuye on the 31st of March last year but were unable to detain him as his offense carries a sentence less than four years in prison.
He denied the charges against him but was eventually found guilty by a jury at Limerick Circuit Court on the 15th of January this year.
The victim said the incident left her with “PTSD” and “flashbacks” and that she was reluctant to return to the hospital for checkups for fear of running into Mbuye again.
The 20-month-sentence handed to Mbuye was backdated to the 2nd of July 2023, when he was taken into custody and held on remand.