A MAN has been told he faces and "inevitable and lengthy" prison sentence after confessing to a catalogue of child sex crimes.

Steven Mathison, from Stanley, County Durham, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via a live video-link from Durham Prison.

The 53-year-old will be sentenced of September 22, after a judge ordered background reports to be prepared on him.

Mathison admitted ten charges of rape, seven of indecent assault, and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, told him: "I need a report. I have to be considering the element of dangerousness.

"For sexual offences such as this, one of the things that will be considered is your attitude to your offending.

"I don't think anything other than a lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable in this case."

Mathison, of Kier Hardie Aveune, was remanded in custody until his next appearance.