Essien was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday to three years for burglary and five years for robbery, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively, according to Merseyside Police.
Police said Essien is expected to serve 30 per cent of his sentence before being deported.
Essien had worked as a caregiver until March 9, when his employers suspended him following allegations of theft. The following day, he reportedly carried out four separate offences in the L6 area of Liverpool, targeting elderly and vulnerable residents, including some people he had previously cared for.
Police said his first offence involved stealing a bank card from a vulnerable blind man and using it for several transactions at nearby businesses.
He later entered the home of another elderly resident and went into the bedroom, although investigators believe nothing was stolen. That evening, he reportedly entered the home of a severely disabled resident at about 7:30 p.m., but again took nothing.
At around 9 p.m., Essien allegedly smashed the rear patio door of an elderly couple’s home. The couple reportedly watched as he entered their living room and stole a wallet containing cash.
Detective Inspector Kevin O’Rourke described the offences as “a series of reprehensible burglary and robbery offences” committed against people Essien had previously cared for as well as other vulnerable victims.
“It is frankly beyond comprehension for someone with this job to go on and target those same people, and then push and grab other elderly and unwell victims in his desperation for money,” O’Rourke said.
He added that the victims had suffered significant distress as a result of the offences, expressing gratitude for their cooperation throughout the investigation.
“Essien has today been given a significant prison sentence, which we hope brings a measure of comfort to those he harmed,” O’Rourke said.
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