A JUDGE has watched a 23-minute film of a Worcester care worker sexually assaulting a mentally-ill woman at the home where she was a patient.

Nigel Hoskins was captured groping the victim on a secretly shot video at Upper Ford Lodge in Droitwich.

Charles Hardy, prosecuting, described in detail the attack on the woman by Hoskins.

At one stage the victim, who suffered from autism and epilepsy, tried to break away, but Hoskins got her to sit back beside him and continued with his attack.

The film, made by an unknown whistleblower, was posted to the social care inspectorate in Birmingham in March, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Mr Hardy said the informant was concerned that the home would not tackle the problem exposed by the film. Police who seized Hoskins’ mobile phone found eight photographs on it of the same woman in various states of undress.

Hoskins, aged 45, of Whites Court, Whites Road, St John’s, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a woman with a mental disorder while acting as her carer.

Judge John Cavell said it was difficult to think of a more serious breach of trust. Hoskins said he had felt sickened by his behaviour when he watched the video.

He also recognised that the victim’s family were shocked and angry.

The judge said the woman had a lower mental age than her years and found it difficult to communicate. “You used her condition to gratify yourself sexually with her,” he said.

He jailed Hoskins for 16 months and ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Hoskins got a permanent contract at the home in December 2008. Arrested by police, he claimed nothing sexual had gone on and that he was only affectionate towards the woman.

Anthony Warner, defending, said Hoskins was ashamed of his conduct. He was a divorcee with a 17-year-old daughter and had no previous convictions except one for careless driving.