Pervert Greg Carnall struck at South Tyneside District Hospital, creeping into a treatment room where the 17-year-old was asleep.

As she lay in her pyjamas Carnall sexually assaulted her.

During the same hospital visit, the 23-year-old sexually assaulted a nurse who was trying to examine him.

Carnall of Bywell Avenue, South Shields, was jailed for three years by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday after admitting two charges of sexual assault.

He also admitted two further charges of sexually assaulting women who were using the ladies toilets at the County Pub in South Shields, last May.

The court heard Carnall had tried to drag both women into cubicles, on separate occasions, leaving them both fearing they would be raped.

Both the nurse and one of his victims from the pub picked him out in an identification parade when he was arrested the day after his hospital attacks.

Amanda Rippon, prosecuting, told the court: "The nurse noticed his pulse was racing and she describes him as being agitated. She formed the opinion he was playing a joke as to requiring treatment, and she left him in the treatment room to update his records."

The court heard that while the nurse was away, Carnall slipped into a nearby treatment room where his victim was asleep.

Jane Foley, defending, said Carnall feels "embarrassed and ashamed" about what he has done.

Jailing Carnall, Judge Esmond Faulks, said: "The hospital patient was clearly a vulnerable victim she was ill and under drugs."

He also said it was "understandable" the women in the pub toilets feared they would be raped.

Speaking after the case, Dave Shilton, executive director of nursing for South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust welcomed the sentencing.

He added: "It is unacceptable for any member of staff to be intimidated or assaulted while they are doing their job. The hospital should also be a safe place for patients, and this kind of behaviour is not what you expect in a decent society.

"We try to put as many security measures in place, but hospitals are public places, and we have hundreds of people through the doors on a regular basis, and incidents like this are very rare."

Carnall was banned from the pub for two years under the Licenced Premises Act, banned from entering premises restricted to female use for 10-years under a sexual offences prevention order, and must register as a sex offender for life.

Detective Inspector Chris Sybenga added: "The sentence passed today reflects the serious nature of these incidents.

"I hope this result can bring some closure for the victims. I would like to thank the victims and witnesses who have come forward to help us with this investigation."