AN ELDERLY man accused of sexually assaulting a person at his Bournemouth care home has died before he could enter a plea to the charge - after the case was adjourned 13 times in 15 months.

David Williams, who was 81, first appeared before magistrates in Poole on January 6 2017.

Prosecutors alleged he had committed sexual assault at the Windsor Court Rest Home in Bodorgan Road, Bournemouth on September 28 2016.

Williams was a resident of the care home when he made his first appearance at court.

The case was then adjourned for plea. Throughout 2017, it was listed at the court a further 11 times - but no progress was made.

It was then listed twice more in 2018.

On the second occasion this year, prosecutors informed the court the defendant had died.

Williams moved to the Balhousie Antiquary Care Home in Arbroath, Angus sometime before May 2017.

However, the case continued to be listed at the court in Poole.

In October 2017, prosecutors twice requested adjournments in order to hold a review.

The following month, the case was adjourned yet again for a full medical report on Williams to be submitted.

Magistrates ordered that the report must feature a full explanation as to why the defendant was unfit to travel and attend court.

The case came back before the court on December 14 2017.

On that occasion, it was adjourned with the order that Williams attend the court, or that a warrant should be issued.

On February 14 of this year, a warrant for arrest without bail was issued.

Police Scotland has refused to comment on whether the warrant was executed.

In April, the court was informed Williams had died.

The defendant had initially been issued with a postal requisition, meaning he wasn't charged with the offence at a police station.

Windsor Court Rest Home is managed by company Beritaz Care.

The Daily Echo has approached the company and the Crown Prosecution Service for comment.