A TRAINEE carer remains at a loss to explain why he indecently assaulted an elderly Alzheimer's disease sufferer.

Thomas Ashley Harper was sent to a young offenders' institution for two-and-a-half years yesterday, after being convicted of indecent assault at Durham Crown Court earlier this month.

Harper was also placed on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period by Judge Denis Orde, who described the incident as "an act of sheer debauchery".

Harper was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict, following a three-day trial, during which the court heard how the defendant, 17 at the time, was caught by a senior carer indulging in an indecent act while lying alongside the 71-year-old resident as she slept at a nursing home in a County Durham village.

Harper, of Maple Park, Ushaw Moor, near Durham, denied indecent assault, claiming he lay on the bed as he was feeling unwell, and his colleague must have misinterpreted the situation.

But the court heard yesterday that Harper had now confessed.

David Callan, mitigating, said: "Neither the defendant's family, who have supported him through these proceedings, or he, can understand what came over him.

"He was a 17-year-old of completely good character at the time, with many good qualities."

Mr Callan told the court how Harper cared for his father for three years before his death from cancer, while all his working life has been spent looking after older people.

"He just does not understand what came over him, but to his credit he has now confessed to what he did."

Passing sentence, Judge Orde told Harper: "It was an outrageous offence - you indulged in an act of sheer debauchery.

"You are a young man in the prime of life, preying on a deluded, semi-comatose elderly lady for your own sexual gratification, taking advantage of a helpless and defenceless person."

Judge Orde commended a cleaner and carer at the home, who raised the alarm, for their prompt action