A former mental patient is to undergo an assessment into his mental health after he admitted carrying out a sexual assault.

Zenon Wheeler, aged 56, of Exeter Road, Exmouth, is due to be sentenced at Exeter Crown Court for an offence of sexual assault by touching.

Judge Stephen Climie adjourned his case until June to allow time for a psychiatric report to be completed which will consider whether Wheeler should receive a hospital order.

Miss Evie Dean, defending, said there is background of psychiatric illness which has led to in patient treatment at Langdon Hospital, Dawlish in the past.

She said: “He is remorseful and very apologetic.

“He has done well in hospital in the past and said it was very good at helping him with the thoughts that he has and the way he copes with them.”