A psychiatric nurse sexually assaulted a patient at the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, a court has been told.

Simon Graham, 47, admitted the offence and was jailed for 30 months.

Judge Rupert Lowe told him: “What you did was extraordinarily surprising and serious.

“By all accounts you were a very diligent nurse and the nature of your work was such that you frequently came across people who were extremely vulnerable.

“This was a gross breach of professional conduct and trust.”

Dominic Connolly, prosecuting at Canterbury Crown Court, said Graham was an agency psychiatric nurse at the hospital.

When he saw the victim he told her to take her top off and then he assaulted her.

Mr Connolly said: "Graham told her I hope you don’t report me but if you do it was worth it."

The victim told her boyfriend what had happened and he went to the police.

Graham was arrested and denied assaulting or touching the victim.

He said the victim had asked him out and he had declined and that was the reason she had reported him.

"The nature of your work was such that you frequently came across people who were extremely vulnerable... this was a gross breach of professional conduct and trust" - judge Rupert Lowe

Judge Lowe read a statement from the victim.

“This case has had a very significant effect indeed on the victim who could reasonably have expected those working for the health service to look after her,” he said.

Graham had no previous convictions, cautions or reprimands.

Peter Alcock, defending, said Graham, who lives in Yorkshire, had not been able to work in his field since the offence and nor would he again.

“He’s already had a significant punishment because his qualifications are now of no use to him,” he said.

“He needs to find work in a different field. The clang of the prison gates will have a significant effect.”

Judge Lowe said he had read five professional references and two from friends who all spoke very highly of Graham.

“I have no difficulty in accepting that everything they say is genuine and accurate,” he added.