A male nurse from Worthing indecently assaulted a nursing home patient during her bath time, a court was told.

Ex-serviceman Ronald Mason of Garrick Road, Broadwater, is alleged to have repeatedly abused the 53-year-old disabled woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, over a 19-month period at a West Sussex home.

A fellow nurse said on one occasion in December last year, when she was bathing the victim with Mason, 59, he behaved inappropriately, Lewes Crown Court was told yesterday.

She said Mason had not been wearing gloves as the nurses at the home were supposed to.

She said: "Mr Mason was washing the parts of her body. He washed in between her legs with his fingers for far too long."

The case has made legal history as the victim is one of the first adults in the UK to give evidence via a live television link.

She told the court that, between March 2000 and December 2001, Mason made a series of indecent remarks and suggestions to her, including asking her to perform oral sex and telling her his fantasies.

He also allegedly exposed himself to her on several occasions.

Mason denies four charges of indecent assault. The case continues.