CONCERNS over a man with learning disabilities who indecently assaulted a woman, could not be addressed by health authorities because of a lack of money, Kennet magistrates heard.

The 23-year-old Devizes man pleaded guilty on April 8 to assaulting the 53-year-old woman, who also has learning disabilities and attends the same resource centre in Marlborough, on two occasions earlier this year.

The case was adjourned until Monday for probation and psychiatric reports to be prepared.

Richard Thomas, prosecuting, told the court an incident took place on a minibus taking the attendees from the resource centre to a weaving class in Devizes. The man had put his hand inside the woman's clothing and fondled her.

The incident only came to light a day or two later when a staff member at the resource centre asked the woman how she had lost a button on her blouse. She told the staff that the man had assaulted her in a similar way on a previous occasion.

Fred Tucker, defending, said his client has a number of mental conditions, including attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder and lives at home with his mother. He is cared for in conjunction with the local authority's care team.

Mr Tucker said: "His mother raised her concerns over his behaviour with the team but because of lack of money they could not follow it through."

Since the incidents, however, his client had had his risk assessment re-evaluated. He said that because of his client's mental condition a custodial sentence was not appropriate and suggested a conditional discharge would be enough of a deterrent to prevent him behaving in such a way again.

The magistrates agreed and gave the man a 12-month conditional discharge. He was not ordered to pay any compensation or court costs but his name has been put on the sex offenders' register.