A MAN has admitted pushing women to the ground and sexually assaulting them in two terrifying attacks.

Craig Perkins had initially entered not guilty pleas to two counts of sexual assault, but yesterday he changed his plea to guilty for an offence on September 13 last year, and admitted a modified charge for a similar incident on November 24.

A separate charge of assault by penetration has been set aside.

Police launched a manhunt last year to track down a serial sex offender.

In the November attack, in Boundary Road, Bournemouth, a woman in her twenties was approached from behind and pushed to the ground before being sexually assaulted.

When disturbed by a passer-by, her assailant fled on a bicycle.

It was the third reported incident in the area in just two months in which a man had attacked a woman from behind.

In September, two incidents were reported within a day of each other.

On September 13, another woman in her twenties was pushed to the ground from behind, and again her attacker fled on a bike as she screamed.

Perkins, 28, of Victoria Park Road, was remanded in custody to be returned to Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on May 5. A probation report will be prepared.

The court heard he is already required to sign the sex offenders register as he has a previous conviction.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Stranger sex attacks such as these are very rare in Dorset and we are committed toward investigating them thoroughly and bringing the offender to justice.

“The victims in this case have been updated about Perkins' guilty pleas and I would like to pay tribute to them for having the confidence to report these offences to Dorset Police and the assistance they have given to the investigation team.

“I would also like to thank those member so of the public who went to the victims' aid at the time of the incidents and helped officers with their investigations."