A BASINGSTOKE man has been sent to a mental health hospital after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting young children.

Benjamin Frewer, of Normanton Road, was put under a hospital order on Friday following a trial earlier this year.

Frewer had previously been charged with four counts of rape and 10 counts of sexual abuse on children all aged under 13 between 2015 and 2018.

Winchester Crown Court was told that the 23-year-old was due to stand trial in February for the offences.

Mr Recorder Michael Bowes QC said: “I found he was unfit to plea based on contested medical evidence presented to me.”

A jury then found him guilty of the charges on the basis of the facts in the case.

Reports were sought from psychiatrists, with Recorder Bowes saying: “Benjamin Frewer in their professional opinion suffers from a mental disorder.”

A bed has now been found for Frewer at St Andrew’s Healthcare, a charity providing specialist mental healthcare for patients with some of the most complex, challenging mental health needs in the UK.

The court heard that Frewer’s parents, who were in the public gallery, will take him to the facility where he will remain for nine weeks.

A further hearing will be held on December 9 to decide whether the order should be extended.