A state judge sentenced a former certified nursing assistant at an elderly care facility to five years on probation yesterday for sexually assaulting four elderly female patients in his care.

Mark A. Genetiano, 25, must also serve one year in jail as a condition of his probation.

But he can win release in June because the judge granted him credit for the nine months he has already been in custody.

He must also register as a convicted sex offender. And he is prohibited from contacting his victims or working in a similar capacity during the term of his probation.

Genetiano read a written statement in court yesterday, apologizing “;to whom this may concern,”; for his “;inappropriate behavior.”;

He pleaded guilty in January to six counts of third-degree sexual assault involving four residents of Kahala Nui, where he worked as a certified nursing assistant.

All of the victims were elderly and the prosecutor said at least some of them were in various stages of dementia. One patient was 92 years old at the time. Another was 89.

Genetiano was fired after police arrested him at the facility on June 17.

Police said a co-worker saw Genetiano hold down one victim's arms with one hand and pinch her bare nipple with his other hand while he and the co-worker were changing the patient's clothes. The co-worker also told police Genetiano laughed as the patient tried to fight him off.