A CALDERSTONES patient indecently assaulted a care worker as she was giving him his evening medication.

Blackburn magistrates heard as he handed back his cup Keith Cahill lunged at her groin and indecently assaulted her over her uniform.

Cahill, 53, who now lives at a mental health facility on the Wirral, pleaded guilty to sexual assault. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim.

The magistrates said they had taken into account the fact Cahill was already detained under the mental health act.

Joseph Broadsmith, prosecuting, said Cahill had been detained in Calderstones since August 2019.

The victim had known him since his admission and on the evening of the incident went into the communal dining area with his medication.

“He was in his wheelchair, because he had cerebral palsy, and having drunk the medication went to hand the cup back,” said Mr Broadsmith. “Instead he lunged at her and made contact over her clothing. She said he seemed amused and laughed before moving off in his wheelchair.”

Mr Broadsmith said the victim said she felt shocked and emotional because she had been violated in such a way.

Richard Taylor, defending, said his client was very ashamed of what he had done.

“He wanted to apologise to the lady but he didn’t have chance to do that before he was moved to his present facility,” said Mr Taylor.