A PRESCRIPTION delivery driver has admitted sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a vulnerable pensioner.

Dennis Reed repeatedly assaulted the elderly woman, who is housebound, and made her touch him inappropriately over a period of six weeks between August 13 and September 21 last year.

His round which he delivered included the elderly woman’s home.

After the offences occurred, the complainant reported Reed to a mobile hairdresser who visited her home in Colchester on a regular basis.

In September, Essex Police arrested and charged Reed with attempted oral rape, three counts of sexual assault and assault by beating.

Reed denied the charges at a plea and trial preparation in October, however, before the trial was set to begin at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday he admitted all charges after a psychiatric investigation.

Reed, who is 69, is under the care of Edward House, a mental health hospital which is part of Chelmsford’s Linden Centre.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting, said: “We invite sentencing to be adjourned to allow for the preparation of a personal victim statement.

“We recognise this is a defendant of a certain age with no previous convictions.”

At a previous court hearing, the prosecution said in the course of his round, Reed had made suggestive comments to the complainant about his sexual preferences which included cross dressing.

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

Judge David Turner delayed sentencing Reed, of Sydney Street, Colchester, until the fortnight beginning Monday, April 1.

He said a Section 45a hospital order would be considered depending on the advice of psychiatrists, one of which will be present at the hearing.