A terrified pensioner thought she was going to die when a man broke into her home and sexually assaulted her.

But the 65-year-old managed to escape from his clutches and raise the alarm.

Horrified neighbours rushed to help after being woken by her screams at 6am.

Napindi Palu, 29, admitted sexual assault and trespass and was warned he faces a long prison sentence during a hearing at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

The victim’s neighbours grabbed Palu as he left her flat in Varndean Road, Brighton, but he broke free and ran to Brighton station where he caught a train to London.

Palu, of Thurtle Road, Bethnal Green, London, was arrested after DNA found at the scene matched his profile.

His victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been left permanently affected by her ordeal.

She told police she still has problems sleeping at night because she is terrified someone will break into her home again.

She said: “I never sleep with any windows open because I fear someone will break in.

“A few nights after this happened I slept at my daughter’s flat because I was scared to be alone.

“I feel hugely embarrassed and did not want people to know what happened to me.

“It has definitely affected me in more than one way and I expect it will affect me in my future life.”

The victim, who still works as a nurse, said she woke to find a man crouching by her bed in the early hours of May 4.

Palu had discovered that she had shut one of her windows but had left it unlocked and climbed through it.

Palu, who has a previous conviction for a similar offence in 2001, was due to be sentenced yesterday.

However, the court was told a report assessing the danger he poses to the public was not ready.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall adjourned sentencing until August 4.

He warned Palu: “These are dreadful offences and you will be receiving a very, very lengthy sentence of imprisonment.”