A drunk has admitted groping a hospital worker and exposing his genitals after being taken to A&E having downed two and a half litres of vodka.

John Donoghue was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford in the early hours of Saturday after he was found unconscious at a petrol station in the town.

On arrival the 32-year-old was "extremely drunk" and acting in an aggressive manner, and then told staff that he needed to use the toilet.

At a hearing today at Folkestone Magistrates' Court, the prosecution described how a female healthcare assistant went with Donoghue to show him the way to the toilets.

As they were walking towards them, she looked down and saw that he had opened his trousers and was exposing his penis "in full view of her, members of the public and other staff on duty at the time".

When they arrived at the toilet, he lifted his hands and grabbed the victims' breast over her clothing and squeezed. She pushed him away and warned him not to do so again.

He was subsequently taken to another room, and advised that because he had been unconscious he would need to stay in hospital.

"Working in A&E you can become used to working with aggressive and intoxicated people..."

Moments later he jumped on a bed, took his top off, and removed his belt before brandishing it in the direction of staff.

As medical staff and security attempted to control him, Donoghue assaulted two security guards and a health care worker before being taken away by police.

In a statement read to the court, the sexual assault victim said: "Although working in A&E you can become used to working with aggressive and intoxicated people, it does not make it right for people to assault our staff."

Ross Greig, defending, told the court that a remorseful Donoghue remembered nothing of the incidents and was "lucky he was not dead" after consuming such a large amount of spirits.

Donoghue, of High Street, Maidstone, pleaded guilty to touching without consent, indecent exposure and three counts of assault.

His defence made no application for bail and he will appear at crown court at a later date for sentencing.

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