A transgender man was allegedly raped twice within an hour of being admitted to an all-male secure psychiatric ward run by the NHS, a court has heard. The shocking incident occurred at the Eden Ward of Lambeth Hospital in south London on 12 April 2022.
Systemic Failures and a Vulnerable Target
Prosecutor Kate Bex KC told Inner London Crown Court that the complainant, a biological female who identifies as male, was immediately singled out by other patients upon arrival. The alleged victim was reportedly targeted with shouts of 'no Adam's apple' and questions about their gender.
Ms Bex stated that given the patient's female anatomy, if a transfer to a male ward was deemed appropriate at all, the hospital should have provided one-to-one monitoring. This crucial safeguard did not happen due to staff shortages, leaving the individual unattended and without appropriate supervision.
While emphasising that the hospital itself was not on trial, the prosecution highlighted that institutional failure does not excuse the alleged crimes or provide a legal defence for the accused.
The Alleged Attacks in the Secure Unit
The court heard that the complainant tried to retreat to a side room to avoid confrontation but was followed by two fellow patients: Davointe Thomas, 25, and Luther Badejo, 29. Thomas, described as six-foot and heavily built, allegedly blocked a doorway, pushed the five-foot-tall victim into a cupboard, forced their trousers down, and raped them.
After fleeing to their room, the alleged victim went to a television area, where they were followed once more by the pair. Prosecutors claim Badejo 'kept a lookout' while Thomas pushed the complainant onto a sofa and raped them a second time. Badejo is jointly charged on this count for allegedly acting as an accomplice.
Aftermath and the Defendants' Responses
The alleged rapes only came to staff attention when a fight broke out between Thomas and another patient who had been told what happened. The transgender complainant subsequently phoned the police and was taken to King's College Hospital for examination and interview.
In a police call played to the court, Thomas referred to the complainant as a 'gender fluid girl' and claimed all that occurred was a consensual kiss. He later provided a statement after forensic tests revealed his semen on the alleged victim's underwear, stating he 'didn't force him to do anything.'
Badejo told police in December 2022 that he could not recall any of the events. A hospital support worker, Pedro Egharavba, testified that he saw Thomas with his trousers down but had not been informed a transgender patient was on the ward, as he was called in as temporary bank staff.
Davointe Thomas denies two counts of rape. Luther Badejo denies one count of rape. Thomas's trial proceeded at Inner London Crown Court, while Badejo was deemed too ill for trial. The case continues.
