A careworker from Sheffield has been jailed for trying to rape an elderly female resident at a care home.

Yemeni agency worker Malek Alshabi, from Sheffield, was sentenced to nine years in jail at Grimsby Crown Court.

Humberside Police said a third-party company alerted the care home in North Lincolnshire to the alleged attempted rape, “after motion was detected which would normally alert them to any residents who may have fallen, or concerns for safety, within the individual rooms”.

Alshabi, who had been employed through an external agency, was “swiftly identified by the care home as the one responsible”, the force said.

Yemeni Malek Alshabi, 53-years-old, of Sheffield, had earlier pleaded guilty to attempted rape

placeholder image — Yemeni Malek Alshabi, 53-years-old, of Sheffield, had earlier pleaded guilty to attempted rape

The 53-year-old was arrested and charged. He denied the allegations in police interviews.

He pleaded guilty to attempted rape at a court hearing in April.

In addition to the jail term he will have to spend a further three years on extended licence upon release as a dangerous offender.

He has also been handed a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Detective Constable Jasmine Morley, from Humberside Police, said it has been a “deeply distressing” case.

She said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with the woman and her family who have been affected by this appalling breach of trust.

“Those in care are among the most vulnerable members of our community, and have the right to feel safe, respected and protected. Alshabi broke this duty of care in the most unimaginable way.

“We would also like to commend the care home staff for the professionalism shown all the way from their initial report and throughout the entirety of the investigation. Whilst the result today will not take away the suffering Alshabi has caused, I am pleased he will be behind bars for a very long time.”