A 20-year-old man who sexually assaulted three children when he was a teenager is to be assessed for treatment in the community.

Daniel Grant today appeared at Bradford Crown Court from custody for sentence.

He pleaded guilty on February 25 to 11 charges of sexually abusing the youngsters, whose ages ranged from four to 12.

Judge Robert Bartfield adjourned the case so that Grant, of no fixed address, can be assessed for suitability on a sex offender treatment programme.

He must stay at an approved hostel for 28 days and appear again in court on July 16.

Prosecutor Christine Egerton told the court the offences represented a course of conduct when Grant was 15 to 19.

The mother of one of the children said in a statement to the court that Grant had abused her trust. She was devastated and her son now had nightmares, the court heard.

Miss Egerton said Grant was sent to custody for two years for robbery in December 2008.

In mitigation, Grant's barrister, Kitty Taylor, said he was a young man of below-average intelligence. He was isolated and vulnerable at the time, she said.

Grant had shown remorse and insight into his offending. His family had now turned against him and he was homeless, said Mrs Taylor.

She told the court the needs of the wider community could better be served if Grant received treatment to address his offending rather than being locked up.