A MAN with 'extensive medical difficulties' grabbed a woman's hand and sexually assaulted her as he asked her for help, Torquay Magistrates heard yesterday.

Michael Loynd, 62, from Torquay Road, Paignton, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault, committed in August this year.

Prosecuting, David Barnes, said Loynd had previously suffered throat cancer and was currently receiving treatment.

He wore blue bandages on his face and his left arm was in a sling as he stood in the dock at the Higher Union Road court.

Mr Barnes said that at a property in Paignton Loynd exposed himself while approaching the woman.

"He grabbed her left hand and put it on his groin and said 'help me'," added Mr Barnes explaining the 'contact' lasted 'a few seconds'.

The woman then told her husband and her employers about the incident before the police became involved.

Mitigating, defence solicitor Jolyon Tuck asked for magistrates to defer sentencing to the Crown Court because he would be 'asking them to take extreme measures' and 'step outside the guidelines' for sentencing of his client.

He added Loynd remembered having an interaction with the woman, but could not remember the offence taking place.

He said Loynd had had 'very intensive radiotherapy for cancer in his head' in 2003 and has 'extensive medical difficulties' which meant he now has a matron and a psychiatrist assisting in his care at Torbay Hospital.

"He is quite happy that she has nothing to gain by making this allegation. He doesn't seek to challenge that this is what took place," said Mr Tuck.

Chairman of the bench Reg Nuttall remanded Loynd on unconditional bail and said he would be sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on December 21.