MAIDSTONE MAN MICHAEL FLEMING SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AT WESTBANK CARE HOME NEAR SEVENOAKS

A disturbing case of repeated sexual misconduct involving an elderly resident at a care facility has come to light, leading to the conviction and imprisonment of Michael Fleming, a handyman from Maidstone. The incident took place at Westbank Care Home, located in Borough Green near Sevenoaks, where Fleming, aged 65, exploited his position to commit heinous acts against an 88-year-old woman suffering from a mental disorder.

According to court proceedings, Fleming managed to sneak into the elderly woman's room while she was confined to her bed, in a vulnerable state. The court heard that he proceeded to grope her breasts in a manner that was both invasive and deeply distressing. The incident was initially observed by a nurse who, upon noticing Fleming acting suspiciously—specifically, zipping up his trousers after being near the patient's bed—raised her concerns with her supervisor. Unfortunately, her concerns were dismissed at the time, and no immediate action was taken.

Determined to protect her patient, the nurse took the initiative to install a covert camera in the elderly woman's room in September of the previous year. She removed the device at the end of each day and later reviewed the footage with her husband. The footage revealed a disturbing scene: Fleming entering the room and placing his hand beneath the victim’s nightwear, touching her breast area for approximately thirty seconds. To conceal his misconduct, Fleming then rearranged her clothing, making it appear as though nothing had occurred.

The evidence was compelling enough to lead to Fleming's arrest. During police questioning, he admitted to entering the woman's room with the intent to molest her. He subsequently pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity. The court was informed that Fleming's actions had caused significant distress, and his behavior was characterized as that of a sex offender.

Judge Jeremy Carey sentenced Fleming to three years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his misconduct. In his remarks, the judge acknowledged that the sentence would not satisfy the victim's family, nor should it, given the severity of the offense. He expressed concern over the extent to which the victim was aware of the degrading nature of Fleming's actions, noting the impact on her and her loved ones.

Judge Carey also commended the nurse for her vigilance and quick thinking in installing the hidden camera, which was instrumental in exposing Fleming's behavior. He highlighted the modest but meaningful statement made by the victim's son, noting that there had been no demand for retribution but rather a focus on justice. As part of his sentence, Fleming's name will be added to the sex offenders' register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct in the future.