A NEWPORT man was jailed for two years after admitting two counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder while working as a carer.

Christopher Blythe, 52, of The Granary, Rogerstone, had earlier pleaded guilty to the two charges following the incidents which involved a "vulnerable" adult in her forties who suffered from learning difficulties.

Blythe was working for South Wales Care at the time of the offences.

Prosecuting, David Pugh said Blythe’s job involved staying over at the woman’s house in Newport and on the night of the first offence he had gone to the pub with the woman and another resident. He then had sex with her in the staff bedroom at the house and on a second occasion had sex with her in the bathroom.

Blythe admitted to police that he had had sex with the woman but said she had followed him to his room and been 'flirty' with him.

Representing Blythe, David Elias said Blythe, who has no previous convictions, felt he had not been given appropriate training.

Sentencing Blythe, Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said: "This was an appalling breach of trust. You were employed to care for this extremely vulnerable woman. Instead you took advantage of her to fulfil your own base desires."

Blythe was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years and was made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order for the next 10 years. Judge Hopkins QC said he would be deciding on the exact requirements of the order over the next two days but it would prevent Blythe from working or volunteering in any role with a vulnerable adult such as the woman in this case.