27 January 2012 Last updated at 08:36 ET

Malaria nurse Matthew Lloyd detained for sex attack

Lloyd sparked an appeal after he disappeared

A nurse who went missing during a malaria medical trial has been detained under the Mental Health Act after sexually assaulting a waitress.

A search was started for Matthew Lloyd, 36, after he missed an appointment in October 2010, sparking fears he might contract the deadly disease.

He was found in the Netherlands and it was revealed he had previously been arrested over the August 2010 attack.

Lloyd, of Southampton, was convicted of sexually assaulting the woman, 20.

He was also found guilty of common assault against the woman as she walked home.

Southampton Crown Court heard he was suffering from schizophrenia and would require long-term care.

'Complete denial'

During the three-day trial, the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said a smiling stranger grabbed her bottom hard as she walked in Southampton city centre.

She told the court: "First he grabbed my bottom. It was quite painful (and) I got scared.

"My first thought was 'I am going to be raped?'.

"He started touching me all over my body, trying to pull my clothes off."

The woman said she pressed her fingers into his windpipe to try to fight off him off as he continued to sexually assault her.

After she escaped she tried to catch up with a man she saw walking ahead of her but discovered it was Lloyd who tried to attack her again. She managed to escape and went home.

Judge Susan Evans QC sentenced Lloyd to a hospital order and also an unlimited restriction order over concerns that he was a danger to the public.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

"Your victim was clearly vulnerable... she thought she was going to be raped by you," the judge told Lloyd.

"You are in a state of complete denial about what you have done and that is of concern to this court."