A Worle doctor has denied sexually assaulting a female patient at a North Somerset hospital.

Dr Steven Pearse-Danker is alleged to have decided to ‘intimately touch’ the woman, who is in her 20s, during an appointment at Clevedon Community Hospital in August 2014.

The patient, who cannot be named as alleged sexual assault victims are legally entitled to anonymity, was seen by Pearse-Danker after experiencing what she believed to be a urinary tract infection.

She told Bristol Crown Court on Monday that the 59-year-old medic began the examination by pressing on her lower back and abdomen, but then moved his fingers downwards to touch her in an intimate area.

She said: “It was sickening – you are meant to be able to trust a doctor.”

Pearse-Danker,who lives in Hawthorn Hill in Worle, denies the sexual assault accusation.

James Haskell, prosecuting, said Pearse-Danker told hospital delivery driver Nicholas Shaw the patient placed his hand on her body ‘in a sexual manner’ during the examination.

Mr Haskell said: “The defendant initiated a conversation with him (Mr Shaw) and referred to the case. He said it was unusual.

“He said as he was examining her abdomen, she put her hand on his hand and pushed it down.

“Shaw said ‘do you mean where the pain was?’ and Dr Pearse-Danker said ‘no, lower, in what I can only describe as a sexual way’.

The jury heard Pearse-Danker had told Mr Shaw the woman was ‘embarrassed’ afterwards.

The trial continues and a verdict is expected later this week.

* For the full story, see tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) Weston Mercury