Home nurse gets 36-month sentence for humiliating patients and theft

A Brussels court has sentenced a 47-year-old home nurse to 36 months in prison, with half suspended, for humiliating patients and stealing from them. The nurse, identified as C. and from Lebbeke in East Flanders, had taken degrading photos of several patients and shared them with a colleague, accompanied by disparaging comments. This colleague then forwarded some of the photos.

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C. had taken humiliating photos of several patients and shared them with a colleague, accompanied by disparaging comments.

The case took a serious turn when police analyzed C.'s phone, uncovering the extent of his misconduct. Beyond the humiliating photos, C. was also found guilty of domestic theft and money laundering. During a search of his home, authorities discovered 70,000 euros in cash, the legal origin of which could not be proven.

C. had been employed as a home nurse for over two decades. The investigation began in early 2023 when one of his elderly patients reported him to the police, suspecting he was being stolen from. The patient managed to record a theft, and upon apprehension, the nurse was found with the stolen money. A ring belonging to another patient was also discovered in his car.

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70,000 euros in cash had been discovered, the legal origin of which could not be proven.

His colleague, who received the photos and comments, was sentenced to 150 hours of community service. The court found C. guilty of inhumane treatment, domestic theft, and money laundering, imposing the prison sentence.

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The victim, an elderly person, managed to film a theft, and when the police apprehended the home nurse shortly after, he had the stolen money on him.