A MAN in his 70s who raped and sexually assaulted two young girls has been told that two doctors can't agree whether he should be sent to prison or hospital to treat his alleged mental health issues.

Ernest Robert Noddings, of Barton Close, Berrow, admitted committing 12 offences including four counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault, three counts of rape and an assault by touching against the pre-teen girls in Newtown between 2009 and 2015.

The judge who will be sentencing Noddings told the court on Wednesday, July 12 that he is unable to make a hospital order based on one doctor's opinion and had "no alternative" but to adjourn the hearing for a third expert opinion.

Prosecution barrister Karl Sholz told Mold Crown Court that he did not oppose the defence's application for an adjournment based on medical grounds.

His Honour Judge Timothy Petts said: "It would be a complete disservice to pass a custodial sentence and it was perhaps overturned by appeal.

"I know how long this has dragged on when the defendant pleaded guilty months ago and it has been adjourned repeatedly with the expectation to deal with it today.

"Had it been two experts saying the same thing there would be one option.

"My apologies to the victims because we are not in a position to deal with the full sentencing hearing today. It’s just not going to be fair or possible."

He added: "The defence solicitors are going to have to urgently find a third expert to see Mr Noddings and give us an opinion on his mental health and whether he fits the criteria for a hospital order and if he doesn’t it will be prison sentence."

Judge Petts fixed a new sentencing date for August 14 at Caernarfon Crown Court before telling Noddings that he will be taken back to prison.