Care worker handed five-year warning after admitting sexual assault of three women in Aberdeen

A care worker has avoided being struck off the register after admitting to sexually assaulting three women.

Robert Lungoci, who was employed as a social care worker at the time, was convicted of sexual offences at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on April 18, 2024.

The offences included stroking a 22-year-old female colleague’s leg and striking her buttocks without consent on December 2, 2023.

Lungoci also repeatedly made sexual remarks about the woman’s breasts without her consent.

On the same night, Lungoci was also found to have sexually assaulted two other colleagues, one by striking her on the buttocks, and another when he stroked her arm and hair.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) launched an investigation into Lungoci’s actions, saying his fitness to practice was impaired due to his actions.

“These offences are serious. The behaviours were criminal, caused distress to several colleagues, and involved a serious breach of the trust placed in you by your colleagues,” the SSSC report said.

“You have been convicted of three counts of sexual assault towards colleagues while on a work night out, and one instance of a sexual communication towards your colleague without their consent.

“Theses offences are a serious departure from the Codes of Practice.”

The panel said the risk of repetition was “relatively low”, adding that Lungoci had engaged with his criminal justice social worker and had no previous complaints.

“You have no previous findings of misconduct with the SSSC, and you had worked in the social services sector for almost ten years before the night which led to your convictions,” it said.

The report added Lungoci had shown insight as well as expressing “regret and remorse” for the offences.

“Despite the relatively low risk of repetition, a reasonable member of the public in possession of all of the facts and circumstances of the case would have ongoing concerns about your fitness to practice,” the SSSC decision report said.

The SSSC handed Lungoci a warning which will remain on his registration for a five-year period.