Carer Arjun Kandel stands trial accused of sexually assaulting two intellectually disabled women

An illiterate and disabled patient described being raped by the carer in the northern suburbs, while another resisted his attempts, a court has heard.

A relief disability carer “overstepped” his role and took advantage of two intellectually disabled women, allegedly sexually assaulting them while they were in his care, a court has heard.

Arjun Kandel, 43, of Modbury is standing trial in the District Court after pleading not guilty to a charge of rape, unlawful sexual intercourse and two counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Opening the trial on Wednesday, Lisa Dunlop, prosecuting said Mr Kandel was covering a day shift at a northern suburbs home where the women – who required 24 hour supervision – lived on August 7, 2020.

She said the regular overnight carer realised something was amiss as soon as she arrived at 6.20pm and noticed the washing machine was running.

Ms Dunlop said the overnight carer then approached Mr Kandel, asking what had happened and he suggested one of the woman had an accident in her room, requiring her sheets to be washed.

But, the illiterate and intellectually disabled woman was later able to describe being raped and Mr Kandel was arrested two days later.

“On the prosecution case, in her home, in her bedroom, her carer sexually assaulted her,” Ms Dunlop said.

Arjun Kandel outside court after an earlier hearing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

She said another intellectually disabled woman at the home had reported Mr Kandel attempted to get her to touch him sexually.

Ms Dunlop said that woman was able to speak her mind and push Mr Kandel away. The same woman also reported that during a drive Mr Kandel had also asked her a series of “entirely inappropriate” sexual questions.

“On the prosecution case, he well overstepped his bounds in his role as a carer,” Ms Dunlop said.

“Entrusted with the care of (the woman), an obviously vulnerable and intellectually disabled woman, on the prosecution case Mr Kandel tried to take advantage of her in a sexual way on that day.”

Ms Dunlop said Mr Kandel had previously worked at the home on two prior occasions in April 2020. During a handover with another carer on one of those shifts, she said Mr Kandel had made inappropriate remarks about one of the women’s breasts and offered to shower her when his help was not required.

She said Mr Kandel had worked as a relief carer for more than five years, and had covered about 180 relief shifts across various facilities in the 12-months prior to the alleged offences.

Andrew Culshaw, for Mr Kandel, did not give an opening statement. The trial, before Judge Liesl Kudelka in the absence of a jury, is continuing.