UPDATED: Thomas Coutts warned he faces lengthy sentence for Longfleet Road rape (From Bournemouth Echo)

UPDATED: Thomas Coutts warned he faces lengthy sentence for Longfleet Road rape

8:50am Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Paula Roberts

A MAN has been told he faces a lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to raping a woman as she walked home.

Thomas Andrew Coutts, aged 21, of Main Street, Tansor, Peterborough, attacked the woman in the early hours of August 20 last year near Poole Hospital on Longfleet Road.

He entered his plea on the first day of his trial at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday.

Coutts pleaded guilty to raping the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and also admitted a second count of sexual assault.

Nigel Mitchell, representing Coutts, said his client accepts the crown’s case and the victim’s version of events.

Judge John Harrow asked for a risk assessment to be carried out on Coutts and said he was considering the possibility of imposing an extended prison sentence.

He told Coutts: “The court needs more information about the risk you pose to the public.

“Rest assured it will be a lengthy sentence.”

Coutts was remanded in custody and will appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, February 25, for sentence.

Dorset Police launched a major investigation after Coutts attacked the woman, who is in her 20s, as she walked alone near Poole Hospital.

Officers said the woman was subjected to a “nasty and unprovoked attack”.

Police sealed off the garden and driveway of a property on Longfleet Road as part of their investigations.

Coutts was arrested three days after the incident.

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