An NHS dentist who performed a sex act while his patient lay unconscious in his chair has been warned he is facing jail.
Lee Gaukrodger's 32-year-old victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had gone to his surgery for a tooth extraction but when she came round from the anaesthetic found her hair was sticky and wet.
The South African-born dental surgeon said he had accidentally spilt some fluid on her during the procedure and was dabbing the liquid with a tissue.
But Newcastle Crown Court heard how the fluid was semen.
The incident happened at Scrafton, Bond and Ablett, in Flatt Court, South Shields, South Tyneside on July 19 when a dental nurse had left the room.
Gaukrodger, 29, of Kingsley Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle, yesterday admitted a charge of sexual assault in relation to the masturbation. He denied a charge of sexual assault in relation to deliberately touching her breasts.
His barrister Paul Caulfield told the court yesterday: "This is a very, very unusual case, a registered dental surgeon who has behaved in a bizarre fashion.
"The prosecution put their case on the basis of intentional touching of the breasts, that is completely denied. What is accepted was a reckless touching after the act of masturbation and ejaculation to remove semen."
Gaukrodger will be sentenced in January.
Judge David Hodson warned him: "You must appreciate for an offence of this nature in your position the likelihood is a term of custody."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article