A FORMER secure unit patient told police he "had been doing so well for 24 years" before he was arrested for the attempted rape of a 10-year-old boy in woods in Rainworth.

Shaun Tudor, 43, of no fixed address, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday and admitted the attempted rape and a sexual assault on the same child on July 20.

The court heard he was a former inmate at Rampton Secure Hospital and had been a resident at St Andrew's Healthcare in Rainworth, which provides secure services and care for 70 men with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders.

No details on the offence or motive for the attack were presented to the court.

But after the hearing, Notts Police said they were extremely concerned Tudor was at large in the community when the offence took place.

Superintendent Richard Fretwell said in a statement: "We have formally requested the appropriate governing bodies of St Andrew's Healthcare to undertake a comprehensive review of the circumstances of this incident to establish the full facts.

"We are also working with the management of St Andrew's to ensure there is no repetition in the future and have reviewed the working practices and daily arrangements to ensure the safety of patients, staff and the wider community.

"A thorough assessment of the patients at St Andrew's has also been completed."

Supt Fretwell also appealed to the local community to remain calm following Tudor's guilty plea.

He said: "We fully understand the concerns of the community, but it is vitally important that the obvious emotions do not lead to any unlawful activity.

"We urge people to remain calm and let the criminal justice process and the requested review run its course.

"The safety of all our community members remains the number one priority for us and if anyone has any concerns then they are urged to contact the local police who are, and continue, to work alongside the community.

"This was a traumatic experience for the victim and his family, who now have to deal with what happened.

"They will not, however, have to be put through the ordeal of a trial."

Steven Taylor, mitigating for Tudor in court, said: "He made a comment on his arrest that he had been doing so well for 24 years."

Judge John Milmo QC said they had very little background information and adjourned the case for further inquires to be carried out on the danger Tudor posed to the public, including a psychiatric report.

Tudor, who appeared yesterday via video link, was remanded in custody until September 30.

St Andrew's is the UK's largest not-for-profit mental healthcare charity.

Spokeswoman Christine Brown told the Post: "Obviously we are not going to make any comment on any individual who may have been in our care past or present.

"I can confirm there are investigations under way by external authorities and internally as well by members of staff independent of the Notts-based St Andrew's facility."