A CANCER-stricken pensioner is facing jail after being convicted of sex assaults - but a judge is allowing him to have treatment first.

Walter Pearson, 67, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault after a four-day trial at Burnley Crown Court. Judge Raymond Bennett said there could be no other sentence than custody, but he had to bear in mind the defendant's state of health and give him enough time for the required treatment.

Remand in custody would normally follow but he had to exercise a degree of compassion.

The judge asked for pre-sentence and medical reports on Pearson, who was of previous good character.

He adjourned sentence until June 18 and remanded Pearson on bail on condition he does not enter into any activities or employment with people under 16.

Pearson, of St Michael's Close, Feniscowles, had denied the charges and said he had "definitely" not indecently assaulted the two victims, both now adults.

His eldest victim, now a mother-of-two, had sobbed as she had told a jury how all she had wanted was for Pearson to admit what he did and say he was sorry.

Philip Curran, defending, said Pearson would be facing surgery and had to see his consultant next week.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.