A convicted murderer who sexually assaulted two female paramedics as they tried to help him has been branded a danger to the public.

Ian Vickers had been released on licence from a life sentence for murder when he attacked the two women, a court heard.

They went to help him after he was found drunk with a head injury in Brighton last year.

He repaid them by twice indecently assaulting one of the paramedics in the back of an ambulance.

Vickers grabbed her between the legs and muttered obscenities about what he wanted to do to her.

He later groped her colleague's bottom as she tried to brief casualty doctors about his condition.

Vickers, 51, of Pier Road, Littlehampton, was found guilty by a jury at Hove Crown Court in June.

He denied the assaults were deliberate and claimed he was confused because of his head injury and because he had been drinking.

His claims chillingly echoed his excuse that he could not remember killing a Yugoslav refugee after they went on a drinking spree together.

The victim was found in a pool of blood at his flat in Crescent Road, Worthing, in 1981. Vickers had battered him around the head with a radio and he died after inhaling his own blood.

A judge at Lewes Crown Court passed a sentence of life with no minimum term.

He was released on licence ten years ago but was recalled to serve the rest of his sentence after being arrested for attacking the two paramedics.

Vickers was given another four years when he appeared for sentence at Hove Crown Court yesterday. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

John Femiola, defending, said Vicars had suffered alcohol problems since he was a youth.

He said: "In the ten years since he was released on licence, he had not had any difficulties and seemed able to control his drinking. Sadly, on that one night he had lapsed and these offences were very much a one-off."

Judge Anthony Niblett told Vickers: "These attacks were on an ambulance technician and a paramedic who were trying to give you medical assistance.

"They helped you and you responded by sexually assaulting them in the back of the ambulance. I have to pass a sentence that will act both as a punishment and a deterrent to anyone who is similarly minded to assault ambulance staff who are doing their public duty."