A predatory community mental health nurse has been jailed for life for raping and molesting four women and two teenagers.

Arrogant Vijay Bundhun preyed on some of the vulnerable women while making visits to their homes.

The 42-year-old married father denied there was any sexual contact with his victims, but they all came forward independently - three of them after reading about him on KentOnline and its sister newspapers.

Judge Michael Carroll ordered that Bundhun serve a minimum of 11 years, less time spent in custody, before he can be considered for parole.

Had he passed a determinate sentence, he said, it would have been 22 years.

Bundhun, of Tonford Lane, Canterbury, was convicted on Wednesday of four offences of rape, eight of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration.

Judge Carroll said he was satisfied that after committing some of the attacks Bundhun believed he was untouchable.

“You are guilty of the grossest breach of trust as a professional health carer that is possible to imagine in respect of two victims,” he said.

He added that Bundhun’s crimes would have a devastating and lasting effect on his victims.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he insisted on giving some women massages during assaults. He forced a “tongue massage” on one victim in which he licked her neck, back and bare breast.

"You are guilty of the grossest breach of trust as a professional health carer that is possible to imagine in respect of two victims" - Judge Michael Carroll, to Bundhun

She reported it to police and Bundhun’s DNA was recovered from swabs.

Bundhun first went on trial in January accused of assaults on two women and a teenage student while working with the mental health team at the Memorial Hospital in Sittingbourne.

The jury had to be discharged after his lawyer was taken ill, but as a result of the case being reported two more women and a teenage girl came forward and made allegations against him.

Prosecutor Deborah Charles said the six victims were unconnected and had independently complained to the police that Bundhun sexually assaulted them at different times and different locations.

An inquiry was launched after one woman complained last year that she had been touched inappropriately by Bundhun.

Another patient then came forward reporting rape and a series of sexual assaults by him during home visits.

A 15-year-old Italian student on an exchange visit also complained she had been inappropriately touched.

“None of the first three complainants was known to any of the others but all were making similar complaints,” said Miss Charles.

"Bundhun took advantage of his victims when they were at their most vulnerable" - Det Con Rebecca Taft

“While the trial was in progress, three further complainants contacted the police as a result of reading about the case in the local newspaper.”

One woman who came forward had been studying to be a nurse. She complained that Bundhun touched her sexually and asked for a massage.

Another woman said during a hospital appointment he rubbed her arm, embraced her and nuzzled her neck.

The jury was reduced to 10 after two members were discharged. Two of the rape offences were by a majority of 9-1 and the rest were unanimous.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Rebecca Taft said: "Bundhun took advantage of his victims when they were at their most vulnerable and did not feel as though they could do anything about it.

"One of his victims, in particular, felt powerless to stop Bundhun from raping and assaulting her and did not tell anyone about the incident for a long time.

"Their ordeals rendered their mental health treatment pointless and in fact sent them backwards in their progress.

"Bundhun's despicable actions have tainted the excellent and expert work of mental health workers all over the county.

"Despite their trauma, his victims all found the courage to come forward and report his actions and for that I commend them.

"Kent Police has specially trained officers to investigate sexual offences and we will always take allegations seriously and treat victims with the ultimate respect, sensitivity and compassion."

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