Nigerian care worker sentenced to eight years imprisonment for robbing elderly and disabled patients in UK

A 32-year-old Nigerian care worker has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment for burglary and bobbery offences targeting vulnerable people in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Ediongseyene Essien, of Hornby Road, Walton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 28 August, 2026, where he was sentenced to three years for burglary and five years for robbery, to be served consecutively. 

The Nigerian national will serve 30% of this sentence before being deported.

A restraining order has been put in place in relation to his six victims.

Essien was a carer until 9 March, when he was suspended by his employers following theft allegations. 

The following day, Tuesday 10 March, Essien committed four separate burglaries in the L6 area against elderly and otherwise vulnerable persons for whom he had previously been a carer for.

Firstly, Essien stole a bank card from a vulnerable, blind man and used the card in multiple transactions nearby.

Later, he gained access to another address and entered the bedroom of an elderly resident, although nothing is believed to have been stolen. 

The same evening, Essien carried out two more offences, firstly gaining entry to the home of a severely disabled occupant at around 7.30pm, with nothing believed to have been taken. 

At around 9pm, he smashed the rear patio door of an elderly couple, who watched Essien enter their living room and stole a wallet containing cash.

On 16 March, Essien was arrested in connection with these offences, and was conditionally bailed pending further enquiries.

On Friday 15 May, two robbery offences took place. 

At around 2.20pm, a report was received of Essien attending the home of a vulnerable man with numerous health conditions, pushing into his address and taking cash from the living room.

At 5pm the same day, Essien approached a vulnerable woman with a walking stick in the Fairfield area, and grabbed her handbag forcibly, stealing cash and bank cards. 

He was arrested on Sunday 17 May and charged with both offences, before being remanded in custody.

Detective Inspector Kevin O’Rourke said: “Essien committed a series of reprehensible burglary and robbery offences against people he had previously cared for, and other vulnerable victims.

“It is frankly beyond comprehension for someone with this job to go on and target those same people, and then push and grab other elderly and unwell victims in his desperation for money. 

“Like all victims of burglary and robbery, they have suffered a great deal of distress from Essien’s crimes and I am grateful for their patience and help in bringing him to justice.“

“Essien has today been given a significant prison sentence, which we hope brings a measure of comfort to those he harmed.

“We hope that this result shows the extensive work that our officers and staff carry out to put offenders before the courts. 

“CCTV and doorbell devices can often be the key to successful investigations, so I’d keep encouraging anyone who captures offences or people acting suspiciously to come forward and we can make an assessment and take action.”