Sentence of a man for the attempted kidnap and attempted rape of a woman walking in a country park has been put back to await completion of a psychiatric report.

Alan Anthony Rothwell was arrested within days of the attack on a 63-year-old woman who was waylaid and sexually assaulted in the Rising Sun Country Park, in North Tyneside, on Monday March 28.

The victim was found at about 4.10pm in a distressed state near the Pit Heap area of the 400-acre park, created on the reclaimed site of the former Rising Sun Colliery.

Rothwell, 34, of Mowbray Street, Heaton, in Newcastle, admitted attempted kidnap, attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault and robbery of the victim, taking her phone and £5, at a plea hearing at the city’s crown court in May.

Read more: Man, 34, charged with alleged rape of woman at Rising Sun Country Park

Judge Stephen Earl adjourned the case to allow for preparation of both psychiatric and Probation Service reports on Rothwell, specifically to address the issue of his "dangerousness".

But when the case was called on, at the court today (Friday July 1), with the defendant appearing via video link from HMP Durham, where he is on remand, Judge Robert Spragg was told the psychiatric report has yet to be submitted.

Andrew Walker, for Rothwell, told Judge Spragg: “It’s with great regret that I report that.

“The consensus is that the court ought to have sight of the report.”

But Mr Walker said it should be ready within a short space of time.

Judge Spragg said: “Given the psychiatric report has been commissioned and given the serious nature of the offence, and the likely disposal, there needs to be a report.

“Given the workloads of the psychiatrist, it’s perhaps understandable he’s finding himself in this position.

“It’s obviously very important, but I can’t go ahead with the sentencing without that report, in the interests of justice.”

All parties agreed on a new date of next Thursday, July 7, on which the sentencing hearing could be re-scheduled.

Adjourning until then, Judge Spragg remanded the defendant to remain in custody.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054