In France, Mohamed D., a nurse with Algerian training who has been working in France for 20 years, was sentenced by the court in Aix-en-Provence to four years in prison for sexually assaulting residents of nursing homes, including a 92-year-old woman.
In early July 2023, while working at a facility in Lambesc, a 72-year-old resident reported that “a monster tried to rape her.” She described a nurse matching Mohamed D.’s description kneading her breast for several minutes while telling her she was beautiful. The resident was certain the act was intentional, and medical staff found her testimony “entirely consistent.”
Mohamed D. offered a “bizarre version of events,” according to French newspaper La Provence. He claimed he felt dizzy after picking up medication and accidentally touched her. The facility immediately ordered him to leave and contacted authorities.
Following his arrest, investigations revealed a long history of offenses. During his trial in Aix-en-Provence this January, it emerged that he had prior convictions from 2021 in Rodez and Montpellier. Witnesses described him as someone who frequently made sexually suggestive remarks to colleagues, often staying at facilities for only a few days due to his behavior.
His history of harassment and assault included an incident in Orange, where he sent suggestive texts to an activities coordinator stating: “You really turned me on today, you’re so beautiful.”
In Bédarrides in June 2022, he sexually assaulted a 92-year-old resident who was crying; he reportedly grabbed her waist, pressed her against his erect penis, and tried to kiss her. Later, in Grans in June 2023, he sexually assaulted a fellow caregiver while they were assisting a resident.
Remarkably, these actions occurred despite an initial conviction that prohibited him from practicing as a nurse.
“I didn’t know,” Mohamed claimed during the hearing in response to the allegations. While he had previously denied all charges, he partially admitted to some during the trial, stating, “I behaved inappropriately, it’s regrettable. I’ve realized I have a pain inside me that I couldn’t control, I apologize,” though he characterized his urges as mere “language slips.”
The prosecution and plaintiffs highlighted the “multiplicity of the acts” and noted that he specifically “targets vulnerable people.” The Lambesc resident’s lawyer noted that while the assault lasted minutes, “for her, it lasts an eternity.”
The prosecution sought a seven-year sentence, citing “acts of undeniable gravity.” While the defense argued against “prison frenzy” and “social exclusion,” the court reached a firm verdict. Mohamed D. was sentenced to four years in prison with an immediate warrant for his arrest.
Beyond the prison term, the court imposed a permanent ban on him working as a healthcare professional or in any activity involving minors or people with disabilities. This was accompanied by eight years of post-release supervision, registration as a sex offender, and an order to pay €3,000 in damages to the victim at the Lambesc nursing home.
