The wife of the care assistant jailed for raping a mental health patient at St Martin’s Hospital in Canterbury has said she is “devastated”.

It has been revealed that John Mendy, 33, was married to Cathy Mendy, a senior health manager.

He came to the UK three years ago from the Gambia and got a job at St Martin’s where his wife is modern matron for Canterbury and Thanet Younger Adult In-Patient Services.

He raped the woman patient he was supposed to be keeping watch on during a night shift.

Tests later revealed he was also responsible for the earlier rape of a woman he met at

a nightclub after giving her a lift home in his car.

Care worker jailed for raping depressed patient>>>

When contacted at her home in Cliffsend, Ramsgate, Mrs Mendy said: “It was devastating for the victim and has been devastating for me, my family and friends, but I would rather not say anything else.”

Kent and Medway NHS Social Care Partnership Trust says it has introduced a new policy covering the appointment of staff who are in relationships with existing employees.

•For full reaction to the case, see this week’s Kentish Gazette.