A MALE nurse who had sex with a 16-year-old patient at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, has been jailed for 16 months.

Oliver Balicao, 34, had admitted one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust and had been cleared by a jury of raping her.

Sentencing Balicao at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, Judge Anthony King told him: "The circumstances were that this young, vulnerable girl aged 16, who was clearly suffering mental turmoil, was in hospital specifically so she could be cured.

"You were the person who was responsible for her care. You did exactly the opposite, for reasons which escape me.

"You went with her to the (toilet) and there you had sexual intercourse with her.

"This is the grossest possible breach of trust and breach of your position.

"Not only did you abuse your trust, but by your actions you have brought a reputable hospital and reputable profession into gross disregard.

"You have undermined the feeling of safety that everyone should have when they put their trust in hospital staff."

Balicao, of Lerwick Croft, Bicester, was also banned from working with children for life and put on the sex offenders' register for ten years.

Brian Stork, defending Balicao, said: "For him nursing was a vocation, it was his dream. The offence was shameful and he accepts that."