A Syrian-born home care worker in the Swedish city of Vänersborg has been sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting an 80-year-old woman under his care, according to a ruling by the Vänersborg District Court.
The 48-year-old man, a father of six who arrived in Sweden during the 2015 migrant crisis and obtained Swedish citizenship in October 2024, was found guilty of assaulting the elderly woman during a home care visit in August last year. As a Swedish citizen, he cannot be deported under current legislation.
SVT reported that the man must also pay the victim 100,000 SEK, around €9,440 in compensation.
According to court proceedings cited by Samnytt, the accused spent an extended period inside the woman’s home, during which he reportedly commented on her house, asked about her marital status, and inquired whether he could rent a room there.
The woman later told investigators the man pressed his finger against her genitals, saying he “drilled,” “pressed,” and “screwed” her vagina for what she estimated to be between 15 and 30 minutes. She also said the man commented that her vagina “doesn’t look that used.”
The victim reported the incident to another home care worker the following day and also informed a family member, after which the case was reported to police.
During police questioning, the man admitted touching the woman’s genitals but claimed the act was a form of treatment requested by the woman, saying he was applying lubrication at her request. The court rejected this explanation.
Investigators examining the man’s mobile phone also discovered pornographic material indicating a sexual interest in elderly women, including visits to a website known as “Grannyspace,” according to the verdict.
In addition to the sexual assault conviction, the man was also found guilty of assaulting his 13-year-old daughter and unlawfully threatening his first wife. According to court documents, he threatened to kill his wife in front of their children after she refused to share a bedroom with him.
However, he was acquitted on separate charges relating to child endangerment and an additional count of unlawful threats.
Social services in Vänersborg were already familiar with the family due to reports of domestic conflict, including allegations that the father physically punished his children and had entered into a second marriage under Muslim custom, which reportedly contributed to tensions within the household.
According to the court’s judgment, the elderly victim has suffered severe emotional consequences following the assault and has expressed that she no longer sees any point in continuing to live.
“For her, this has meant severe abuse. Moreover, it is by home care staff and in her home, where she has the right to feel safe,” the victim’s attorney Gunilla Johansson told SVT.
