AN 82-year-old man who molested a confused pensioner has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

Harry Salisbury, who made the "vulnerable," victim commit a sex act on him when visiting his girlfriend in the nursing home where both women lived, had earlier admitted indecent assault on March 21, Burnley Magistrates were told.

Salisbury, who has previously twice been convicted of sex offences since he was 70, was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order .

The defendant, of High Street, Colne, was also told to pay £50 compensation, with £60 costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said a care assistant at the Colne home saw Salisbury take hold of the victim's hand and put it down his trousers. He then committed a sex act.

Glen Smith, defending, described the case as "sad" and said Salisbury never envisaged he would be appearing before the courts from his 70th year onwards.

He said the defendant, who would be ineligible for a sex offenders' programme because of his age, apologised to the court and his victim.