A former psychiatric nurse who molested a 15-year-old patient after offering her music lessons has escaped a jail sentence.

Timothy O'Leary, 48, was sentenced to 200 hours' community service after admitting two offences dating back to 1983 and 1984.

The court heard how O'Leary, who was aged 31 at the time, had become close to the youngster when she was admitted to St Francis' Hospital in Haywards Heath, which has since closed.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was indecently assaulted after she took up an invitation to visit O'Leary's Haywards Heath home for guitar lessons.

A complaint was made to the hospital in 1984, when the girl was readmitted, and O'Leary was moved to another ward where he did not work with young people.

Julian Woodbridge, prosecuting, told Lewes Crown Court: "The defendant was working at the adolescence unit at the time as a nurse, where the 15-year-old was an inpatient.

"She expressed interest in music and knew he played the guitar and he offered to provide her with guitar lessons.

"She said she never missed an opportunity to be close to him, he was her favourite.

"After she was discharged, arrangements were made for guitar lessons to take place at his home. It is said she became very good at playing the guitar."

O'Leary, who now lives in Edinburgh, was arrested and questioned in May this year when the offences came to light and admitted the two charges.

Ian Ross, defending, said: "The background is what is described as kissing and cuddling between the defendant and the girl.

"These indecent assaults are not high up the scale in relation to other indecent assaults."

O'Leary was also ordered to pay £300 costs.