A NURSE who suffered an increase in his sexual appetite when he stopped taking his medication raped a nine-year-old boy, a court heard last week.

Jailing Charles Menet for seven years, Judge David Clarke, QC, the Recorder of Liverpool said: "I'm told that when you take medication you have a good insight into your own condition.

"The offences are clearly not related to your mental illness. It seems the offences were brought about when your inhibitions were reduced by your inconsistent taking of your medication.

"At all times you knew what were you were doing and how wrong it was. I don't know the degree of damage done to that child in the long or short term."

Menet, aged 36, of The Cliff, New Brighton, who pleaded guilty to two charges of rape, four charges of indecent assault and four charges of indecency with a child, was also ordered to register under the Sex Offenders' Act for life.

Three later charges of rape, which Menet denied, were laid on the file.

Miss Elizabeth Cliff, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that matters came to light after Menet confessed he had been unfaithful to his wife.

Mr Stuart Driver, defending, said that Menet, a well-qualified and devoted nurse, was a man of previous good character who drove himself too hard.

Menet suffered from chronic hypermania and has twice been detained under the Mental Health Act. He said the condition caused the sufferer to be elated and have an increased sex drive, and lose all insight into their condition. They stop taking their medication because they feel happy and believe they are doing well in life, he said.

Menet stopped taking his medication and there was an increase in sexual appetite and a decrease in the ability to deal with it, said Mr Driver.

Prior to his appearance at the magistrate's court other inmates asked him what he was in for and he was beaten black and blue.

A psychiatrist's report said the offences would not have happened if not for the condition, and there was a low risk of re-offending if Menet has no contact with children and continues with his medication.

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