The former president of Zimbabwe Canaan Banana’s son, Martin, 49, admitted engaging in sexual activity with a female with a mental disorder impeding choice.

Martin from Liverpool initially denied the offence but later pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a female with a mental disorder, Liverpool ECHO reports.

Although the girl was over 16, the age of consent, it is a criminal offence for a care worker to engage in sexual activity with a patient who has a mental health disorder affecting choice. 

Cardiff Crown Court heard Banana, of Silvester Street, Vauxhall, used his position as her support worker to take advantage of her – telling her he liked her and that she “looked like an angel”.

The two exchanged messages about their relationship and matters came to a head in when Banana approached his victim in the hospital, hugged her, and kissed her on the lips using tongues.

A sentencing hearing today was told the victim reported the incident to the hospital and Banana’s employment was subsequently terminated.

Judge Daniel Williams, sentencing, said: “She was extremely vulnerable and had an emotionally unstable personality disorder as a result of a traumatic background.

“The offence was committed in a place where there’s a particular need for safety, where our most vulnerable in society are looked after by a profession which is shamed by this sort of behaviour.”

He admitted the defendant had “fallen far off the trust placed in him” but was now volunteering with a foodbank as part of his church.

Banana was sentenced to a two-year community order and was ordered to carry out the Horizon sex offenders’ programme, complete 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, and to pay court costs of £1,500.

He will be required to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.