A PENSIONER from Carlisle has formally pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman.

But at the city’s Crown Court, a judge ruled that there will have to be a further hearing to establish the facts of the offence committed by 71-year-old Wilson Dixon after the prosecution refused to accept his version of events.

Only after this is done can the defendant be sentenced.

Dixon, of St Ninian’s Road, Carlisle, admitted committing the offence in 2022, the court heard. The charge describes the victim as a woman aged over 16, though she cannot be named for legal reasons.

Judge Michael Fanning told the defendant that he will have to return to court on July 17 so that evidence can be heard. Any decisions on that evidence, and the basis of Dixon’s guilt, will be made by the judge.

In the meantime, the defendant was granted bail.