Woman, 85, sexually assaulted by Reading nurse, court told

An NHS nurse sexually assaulted an 85-year-old woman whom he had previously cared for, a court has heard.

Steven Hicks, 60, arrived unannounced at the woman's home in January 2022, wearing a surgical mask, a plastic apron and gloves, prosecutors said.

He then assaulted her, leaving a DNA trace, before she pushed him away, Reading Crown Court was told.

Mr Hicks, of Woodley, Reading, denies assault by penetration and sexual assault.

He first met the woman in December 2021 for a nursing assessment after she had a fall, the jury heard.

On 5 January, he arrived wearing medical clothing and was invited in, the court was told.

Prosecutor William Eaglestone said Mr Hicks assaulted the woman with his hand and face before apologising and saying he "got carried away".

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, informed relatives who called the police, the jury heard.

The barrister said: "The question is, who was that man? We, the prosecution, say it was this defendant - Steven Hicks.

"The issue in the case is not so much was [the woman] assaulted on 5 January 2022 but, as I have said, who did it."

The defendant told police he had not seen the woman in January and DNA found on her must have come from his first visit, the jury was told.

Mr Hicks accessed the woman's clinical records seven times, including on the day of the assault when he was not working, the prosecutor said.

The trial continues.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]