Legal history was made when a disabled woman, who claims she was indecently assaulted by a care worker, gave evidence to a Sussex court via a live television link.

The alleged victim, who can barely move, is believed to be the first person in the UK to take advantage of new provisions aimed at protecting vulnerable adult victims.

New rules under the 1999 Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act, brought into power just last month, allow adult victims of crime to avoid appearing in court before defendants.

The woman, addressing Lewes Crown Court from her bed and helped by an interpreter, told how she had been repeatedly abused by Ronald Mason between March 2000 and December 2001.

The jury watched the woman respond to questions on television sets placed in the court.

Mason, 59, an ex-army man of Garrick Road, Broadwater, Worthing, denies four charges of indecent assault.

Karen Holt, prosecuting, said: "The Crown alleges he touched her without her consent. We say that conduct started and continued with a number of inappropriate sexual comments and actions."

The woman, who cannot be named, told how the defendant "used to put his hands inside my clothing on my breasts".

She said: "Every time someone came he would quickly remove his hands. I was surprised by it all really. It is not the sort of behaviour I expected."

She went on to tell the court how Mason often made inappropriate comments to her, including asking her to perform oral sex and telling her about his fantasies. He also allegedly exposed himself to her on several occasions.

Asked why she had not reported Mason's actions sooner, the woman said: "I did not think anyone would believe me."

Judge Charles Kemp adjourned the case.