´óÏó´«Ã½

A healthcare assistant accused of sexually assaulting two female patients at a hospital has said one of the women is "making up" the allegations.

Ieuan Crump, 26, from Gilfach, Caerphilly county, denies all charges against him, which consist of nine counts of sexual assault, including three of penetration.

Cardiff Crown Court heard one of the patients claimed Mr Crump asked her about her sex life and how many people she had slept with.

Mr Crump denied the conversation took place and said: "As far as I’m concerned she is making it up, a patient's personal life is irrelevant."

The patient told police Mr Crump asked her if the last person she slept with was a boy or a girl.

Matthew Roberts, prosecuting, said: "This was a person you were interested in sexually".

"No," Mr Crump replied.

Mr Roberts said the patient became so upset she wanted to leave, before being seen by a medical registrar - after which she ran to her mother.

The court head the patient told the police she remembered being touched intimately by Mr Crump, who was not wearing gloves.

"Your hands were shaking. She asked if you were ok. You said you had too much caffeine," said Mr Roberts.

"Did you ever say that?"

Mr Crump replied: "No."

The court heard Mr Crump made "no entry" signs for rooms in the unit on his day off - an idea he said he got from other wards at the hospital.

Rooms in the unit have doors with a metallic blind that can be pulled down if patients need privacy during intimate examinations and procedures.

"There was no need for the signs to be made," said Mr Roberts. "No one said 'Ieuan please make the signs'.

"Was it to dignify patient care or to ensure you could get away with abuse?

"You took complete advantage, that's the truth."

Mr Crump replied: "No."

The trial continues.