A YOUNG man who went to the home of a teenage girl and carried out a sex attack on her while receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital has been jailed for 16 months.

Alex Madden, 21, of Drayton Court, St Dials, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Cardiff Crown Court.

Prosecutor Kevin Seal told the court how on September 2, 2006, the girl was watching television alone at home when Madden three times knocked on the front door asking for someone who wasn't there.

When she answered the door for the fourth time he pushed her into the living room, put his hand over her mouth, pushed her to the floor, and as she screamed and struggled he put a hand down the front of her trousers and fled.

She ran to the home of a neighbour crying uncontrollably. She had bruising to her stomach and grazes on her elbow.

Mr Seal said the victim became very withdrawn after the incident, her self esteem plummeted and so concerned were her parents that the family has moved from the area.

Heath Edwards defending said that since 18 Madden had been treated for schizophrenia and had been detained once under the Mental Health Act.

He said at the time of the offence he was on a cocktail of drugs and continues to receive care from St Cadoc's hospital where he was being treated at the time.

Madden is said to "deeply regret" what he did.

Judge John Curran jailed Madden and he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.