A Chelsea Pensioner, who plied a woman with alcohol before taking her back to his room at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, has been convicted of sexual assault.

Patrick Teegan carried out the attack on his 29-year-old victim on May 24 last year, following last year’s Royal Chelsea Flower Show which had taken place in the grounds of the famous hospital that day, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The 71-year-old was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court on July 10 and will be sentenced on August 28.

The attack was a “hugely traumatic experience” for the victim, while the hospital described the events as “shocking and distressing for all within the Royal Hospital Chelsea community”, before confirming Teegan was no longer living on its site, the CPS added.

The court was told the woman had gone back to Teegan’s room in an intoxicated state. When she woke up in the early hours of the night she found herself naked and being assaulted, CPS said.

Baljit Ubhey OBE, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London, said: “Patrick Teegan took advantage of the victim in this case when she was vulnerable through drink.

“The victim had agreed to have a drink with Teegan and some others following the Royal Chelsea Flower Show event but soon became intoxicated.

“Teegan took her back to his room and when she woke up in the early hours of the morning she was naked and being assaulted. She had no recollection of how she got there and immediately left to go home.

“This was a hugely traumatic experience for the victim and I would like to thank her for giving evidence in court. We were able to support her in giving evidence by playing her video recorded interviews and enabling her to give evidence from behind a screen in court.

“Tackling rape and serious sexual assaults is a key priority for CPS London and we will continue to work closely with our police partners to support victims and bring offenders to justice.”

Secretary and acting chief executive officer of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Paul Hatt said: “This case has been shocking and distressing for all within the Royal Hospital Chelsea community.

“In the coming weeks our priority will be to support our elderly residents and staff affected by this news, as well as carefully considering the background and circumstances around this case in light of the evidence heard in court.

“Mr Teegan is no longer an In-Pensioner of the Royal Hospital and will not be permitted to live here. The welfare of our In-Pensioners and staff is, and will always be, our highest priority.”

Teegan will be sentenced at the same court on August 28.