A DUDLEY pensioner who carried out a string of serious sex attacks on young children has avoided time behind bars.

Graham Westwood faced 15 charges, including rape and sexual assault but doctors ruled his medical problems made him unfit to enter pleas.

A hearing was then held at Wolverhampton Crown Court where a jury decided Westwood, of Middlepark Road, had committed the acts, which dated back to the 1970s.

Judge John Wait said they were grave offences and stressed the 69-year-old's victims would never be able to put what had happened behind them.

He said the pensioner was charged in 2012 when the offences finally came to light but his poor health meant he would not be able to appear before the court.

Following the declaration, the judge said a trial of issue was held to determine if the acts had been carried out by Westwood and a jury decided they had.

The judge, who made Westwood the subject of a two year supervision order, said: “Had he been convicted of these acts he would be starting a very long prison sentence indeed. But his poor health means he has not been convicted.”

Michael Aspinall, defending, told the court Westwood had a number of serious medical issues and he was now in the position where he needed constant supervision.

Gurdeep Garcha, for the prosecution, said the options on how to deal with Westwood were limited because of his medical condition.

“If he was well it is clear a long prison sentence would have been appropriate,” said Mr Garcha, who told the court the victims in letters had described how badly their lives had been affected by his actions.

The judge ordered Westwood to sign the sex offenders register for the next two years.