A South Australian disability carer “overstepped the bounds” when he allegedly indecently assaulted two women in his care at a northern suburbs home in 2020, a court has heard.
Key points:
- Carer Arjun Kandel has pleaded not guilty to four sexual offences
- Prosecutors allege the offences occurred at his third shift with the victim
- The victim has an intellectual disability
Arjun Kandel has pleaded not guilty to rape, two aggravated counts of indecent assault and one count of unlawful sexual intercourse, and is facing a District Court trial.
Prosecutor Lisa Dunlop said Mr Kandal was called in to work for his third relief shift at the home, shared by three women who are intellectually impaired, in August 2020.
She said the accused had gone to give medication to one of the residents in a granny flat at the back of the property, which was normally done inside the house.
“When the accused came into her unit she was laying down on the bed, and he looked around to see if there was anyone else there,” she said.
Ms Dunlop said the accused and the alleged victim had a conversation, before the carer “overstepped his bounds in his role as carer”.
She said Mr Kandel had been trusted to take care of the women, but instead took advantage of them for his own sexual gratification.
The court heard while the alleged victim had an intellectual disability, she could speak her mind.
Carer asked ‘inappropriate questions’
Ms Dunlop said Mr Kandel had asked the other alleged victim “inappropriate questions of a sexual nature” when the pair had gone for a drive.
She also told the court that the carer who had come to take over from Mr Kandel noticed the washing machine on at night, and a change in the demeanour of the women.
Ms Dunlop said the replacement carer asked Mr Kandel what had happened, and he responded there had been an “accident on the bed”.
The court also heard that Mr Kandel had made inappropriate comments about one of his clients when speaking to a colleague, who had to put a stop to the conversation.
Judge Liesl Kudelka closed the court to hear recorded interviews with the alleged victims.
The trial continues.
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