A nurse has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for carrying out "shocking and terrifying" indecent assaults on patients.

Rohen Gatilao, 32, of Codenham Straight, Basildon, could face deportation after touching the breasts and abdomen of two woman under the pretence of examining them

The nurse will be stripped of his medical qualifications and will be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life following the incidents at the accident and emergency department of Basildon Hospital on the night of November 5, last year.

Gatilao slumped in his chair at Southend Crown Court when he was found guilty of three of the five counts of indecent assault with which he was charged.

Judge Daniel Worsley said there would be "public revulsion" to the crime and added the court must show that a medical professional taking advantage of a patient would be punished.

He said: "Two young women were in the care of the medical and nursing team - in your care. They were ill and in severe pain and highly vulnerable.

"At the time your job was to look after them. Instead you took advantage of them to do the opposite. You abused them sexually for what must have been your sexual lust under cover of medical examination."

He added: "You have shown no remorse, self pity but no remorse. The remorse would have saved your victims from having to give evidence."

Judge Worsley also said Filipono-born Gatilao had "brought shame upon all the nurses and hospital staff who work so wonderfully at Basildon".

Gatilao was sentenced to two-and-half years for each of the three counts of indecent assault of which he was found guilty which will run concurrently.

He denied all charges.

His case will be assessed by the Home Secretary who has 28 days to make an application to the court for Gatilao to be deported.