Tyrone Carr, of High Street, East Grinstead, pictured, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court following an attack on a young woman as she walked home from a night out.

The 27-year-old gardener forced the 22-year-old female victim to the ground in Mount Noddy cemetery in East Grinstead at 2am on June 1.

Carr was interrupted during the attack by two passers-by, who he threatened before running off.

In court yesterday, Carr pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault by penetration, two offences of sexual assault by touching and causing actual bodily harm. He is set to be sentenced on October 4.

Detective Chief Inspector Claire Pridgeon of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “This was a violent attack by a stranger on a young woman walking home.

“She was severely distressed and remains so to this day.

“It was thanks to the couple passing by that she did not suffer an even more terrifying ordeal.”