A DISABLED man with motor neurone disease was seriously sexually assaulted as he lay helpless in a ward at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, it is alleged.

The patient was within a private room on the hospital's J-North wing when he was attacked by accused Greenock man Martin McGhee, it is claimed in court papers.

McGhee, 44, is charged with entering the alleged victim's room without his consent and getting into his bed before allegedly proceeding to carry out sexual acts on him.

Prosecutors say that McGhee opened the man's 'protective underwear' and handled his private parts during the alleged incident.

He is said to have struggled with the patient and held him down before carrying out a sexual assault on him.

The details of the alleged assault as laid out by The Crown are too harrowing for the Telegraph to publish.

McGhee, of Lyle Street, was on bail regarding another criminal matter at the time of the alleged attack.

It is said to have taken place on April 25 in 2019.

Motor neurone disease is an uncommon condition affecting the brain and nerves.

It occurs when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord called motor neurones stop working properly.

Symptoms include muscle weakness, twitches, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing, and they worsen over time.

The indictment charge against McGhee called for the first time at Greenock Sheriff Court in his absence.

Defence advocate Joseph Barr formally tendered a plea of not guilty on behalf of his client.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre has continued the case for the defence to carry out further enquiries.

A second pre-trial calling of the matter is due to take place on the afternoon of February 2.