A TEENAGER has admitted the double rape of a woman in Brightlingsea and the assault of another.

Annie Davidson

A TEENAGER has admitted the double rape of a woman in Brightlingsea and the assault of another.

Lewis McKinney will be sentenced next month for the crimes which happened on New Year's Eve in the quiet seaside town.

McKinney, 18, appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday and admitted the offences.

In all, McKinney, of Bellfield Avenue, Brightlingsea, pleaded guilty to two rapes and one attempted rape against a 49-year-old woman.

He also admitted a count of common assault against a second victim, a 60-year-old woman.

Unemployed McKinney will be sentenced on April 6 at Chelmsford Crown Court. He was remanded in custody.

The charges all relate to New Year's Eve last year when police were called to a property in Brightlingsea where they found two women in a distressed state.

McKinney was arrested soon afterwards and charged within days.

An Essex Police spokesman said yesterday: “The attack happened in a house in Brightlingsea during the evening of Wednesday December 31, 2008.

“Officers arrived and found two women aged 49 and 60 in a distressed state.

“A short time later, officers arrested Lewis McKinney at his home address on Bellfield Avenue and subsequently charged him with three counts of rape and one count of assault.

“At Chelmsford Crown Court today he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of a common assault.

“This was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

“The 18-year-old unemployed man has been remanded in custody prior to his appearance at the same court during the week beginning April 6 when he will be sentenced.”