A MAN has admitted raping a woman waylaid as she was walking home after a night out in a town centre, last month.

Alexander Neil Dixon was told to expect to receive, “a long custodial sentence”, when he returns to Durham Crown Court to learn his fate, next year.

The warning was given by Judge James Adkin, after the defendant admitted charges of rape and sexual assault, both committed in Bishop Auckland, late on October 27.

Dixon, 38, of Burnigill, Meadowfield, was described his as, “a vulnerable person, who is on the autism spectrum,” when he appeared before magistrates on October 31.

He was remanded in custody and the case was sent to the crown court, where Dixon appeared at a plea hearing yesterday, via video link from Durham Prison.

Following his pleas, his counsel, Nicholas Askins, asked for preparation of a psychiatric report prior to sentence.

Judge Adkins said he also wanted a background probation report preparing to specifically address Dixon’s perceived, “dangerousness”.

Remanding Dixon to remain in custody, Judge Adkin told him: “As well as the psychiatric report I want the Probation Service to assess the risk you pose in future.

“In due course, when the case comes back to court, you should expect to receive a long custodial sentence.”

He will be sentenced on January 13.