A 33-year-old former care assistant has been jailed for six years after sexually abusing a teenager in an ambulance in High Wycombe.

Alexander Hughes, 33 of Oakfield, Cwmbran, Torfaen, in South Wales, was working as an emergency care assistant in High Wycombe in July 2014 when he touched an 18-year-old woman inappropriately while she was being taken to hospital.

He then messaged the woman on social media asking if she wanted to exchange indecent pictures.

In October 2017, he sexually assaulted another 18-year-old woman in Bristol’s Motion nightclub. At the time, he was employed as a first aider at the club, and was acting in this capacity at the time of the assault.

Hughes did not inform his employer of the police investigation into the High Wycombe incident.

He was charged on November 16 last year and was found guilty unanimously by a jury on October 18 at Aylesbury Crown Court of one count of sexual assault by touching and three counts of sexual assault by penetration.

He has been handed an extended sentence of nine years – a six year custodial sentence extended by three years on licence.

Hughes has been placed on the sex offenders register for life and has an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He has also been barred from being a medic.

Investigating officer for Thames Valley Police, detective constable Jenna Wilde, from Aylesbury police station, said: “Hughes was in a position of trust and his actions caused tremendous distress to the victims.

“He then denied the offences and put the victims through the ordeal of a trial.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the two victims involved in this case for their bravery and support.

“Hughes will now serve a prison sentence and will never again be able to be a medic.”

Investigating officer for Avon and Somerset Police, Detective Constable Liz Howell, said: “Hughes is a predatory individual who used his position as a first aider to target women while they were particularly vulnerable.

“His victims were shocked to be assaulted by someone they had put their trust in and who they thought was there to help them.

“I am grateful to them for their bravery in supporting this case.”