A man who admitted raping and sexually assaulting an 80-year-old woman in a Shropshire cemetery has been told it is “inevitable” he will receive a lengthy custodial sentence.

Haydyn Mellor, of no fixed abode, admitted carrying out the attack in the cemetery in Hengoed, Oswestry, on July 23 this year.

He appeared in Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to two charges of rape, one of sexual touching and stealing the victim’s purse.

Judge Robin Onions said: “I am going to reserve this case to me because of the nature and seriousness of the matter.

“I am going to require a lot of convincing that this man is not dangerous. It is as bad a case as I have come across in my experience.”

Judge Onions told Mellor: “A lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable, the only choice is whether that sentence is determinate or indeterminate, when only a parole board will decided when you will be released.”

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be drawn up and Mellor was remanded in custody.

The victim had been visiting the cemetery to attend one of the graves when she was set upon by Mellor.

She was left seriously traumatised by the daytime attack.

After the incident police attended a public meeting in the area to try to reassure residents.

The parish council also looked at general safety issues at the isolated cemetery and have since cleared away undergrowth to make the area less hidden.