A CARE worker is facing a long prison sentence for sexually attacking a woman with a severe mental disorder.

Terrence Williams, aged 68, of St Illtyd Rise, Pembrey, pleaded not guilty when he went on trial on Monday accused of rape.

But yesterday, when the case was about to resume, he pleaded guilty to molesting the woman and unlawfully having sex with her.

Prosecutor Peter Murphy QC, opening the case, had told jurors that Williams's victim had "severe mental impairment within the meaning of the Mental Health Act".

"She was vulnerable to suggestion and not in a position to consent to sexual acts," said the barrister.

"She did not have the required capacity to understand or consent."

When confronted by the police, Swansea Crown Court heard, Williams denied assaulting the woman at all.

But forensic scientists who examined sexual fluids on a mattress found the defendant's DNA "mixed in with hers".

The trial had been due to resume yesterday (Tuesday) at 10.30am, but proceedings were held up for an hour while the defendant discussed the case with his legal team.

Williams then returned to the courtroom and admitted molesting the woman and unlawfully having sex with her in 2008.

In the circumstances, said Mr Murphy, the prosecution was content that the more serious rape denied by Williams should remain on the court file but should not be proceeded with.

One factor in the prosecution's decision, said Mr Murphy, was concerned about the complainant "in terms of the trauma of her having to give evidence".

Defence barrister Elwen Evans QC, conceding that imprisonment was "inevitable", told Judge Huw Davies QC she was not applying for proceedings to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report by a probation officer.

But the judge ruled that such a report would help the court to assess the defendant's "dangerousness".

Adjourning until next month, the judge told Williams: "This is a case that will inevitably result in a custodial sentence of necessarily significant length."

The court was prepared to grant bail in the meantime, added the judge, but Williams would have to surrender his passport and stay indoors each day under a 6pm to 8am curfew.

The judge also directed that Williams should be registered as a sex offender.

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