A THUG downed a cocktail of bleach and vodka before sexually assaulting a nurse in Andover only hours after being released from prison.

Shaun Alan Ward had to be restrained in court as a judge sentenced him to three-and-a-half years in prison for the attack in October.

Winchester Crown Court heard how Ward grabbed the woman in a hospital car park, pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

Jane Terry, prosecuting, said: “He looked as though he was trying to kiss her and he grabbed her right breast over the polo shirt she was wearing.

“She was petrified. She believed the defendant was going to rape her.”

As the nurse screamed for help an onlooker arrived and tried to pull Ward away, but he passed out on top of her due to the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

Defending, Adrienne Knight said: “He made a full and frank admission to the police officers in a drunken stupor.”

The 28-year-old had no recollection of assaulting his victim, but in what Miss Knight called his “drunken ramblings” he threatened to rape police officers’ wives.

Ward has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2003 including theft, criminal damage and indecent exposure.

Miss Terry told the court last Thursday that when the defendant was asked what he thought about the attack, he said “he felt a bit bad”.

The court heard he had been assigned a bed at a probation hostel in Southampton following his release from prison, but because he didn’t want to go there he began drinking.

He was refused entry to a hostel in Andover and went on to consume a vast amount of vodka and bleach.

Emphasising the impact of the broad daylight attack on the woman, Recorder Stephen Parish said: “She describes how she can’t go out alone and how frightened she is when someone comes up behind her.

“It is clear this will stay with her for a very long time.”

During sentencing the defendant became agitated and began hitting himself in the dock before fighting with the security guards.

More guards were called and after a struggle for several minutes he was carried away back to the cells.

Continuing the sentence in Ward’s absence, Mr Parish added: “It was extremely violent and the defendant maintains he has no recollection.”

Ward will also be re-instated on the sexual offenders’ register.