A PRESCRIPTION delivery driver has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable elderly woman.

Pensioner Dennis Reed is alleged to have targeted the elderly woman, who is housebound, by repeatedly assaulting her and making her touch him inappropriately over a period of six weeks.

The complainant reported Reed to a woman who comes to her home in the Colchester area.

She then reported the allegations to Essex Police.

Reed, 68, is accused of attempted sexual assault, sexual touching and assault by beating.

He was denied bail at Colchester Magistrates’ Court and will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court next month.

Sharon Hall, prosecuting said: “This is a very serious matter.

“As part of his employment he deliver prescriptions to people who are elderly and vulnerable and unable to access the pharmacy themselves.

“She is in her seventies and is vulnerable in terms of her health which forces her to spend most of the time in her bedroom.”

It was alleged Reed, of Sydney Street, Brightlingsea, preplanned the abuse and made suggestive comments to the complainant about his sexual preferences which included cross dressing.

A search of his vehicle found a bag full of women’s clothes, fake breasts and sex toys.

Reed was not asked to enter any pleas but the court was told he believes some of the incidents being alleged were consensual.

District judge John Woollard remanded Reed in custody until a plea and trial preparation hearing at the crown court on October 22.

He said: “These matters are too serious to be tried in the magistrates court so I am sending them to the crown court.

“Until then you will be remanded in custody.”