Man, 21, admits sex attack in lavatory

A 21-year-old supermarket worker has admitted attacking a woman in the toilets of a busy Shropshire bar.James Sills followed his victim, a woman in her 20s, into the ladies' toilet at Montgomery's Tower, Lower Claremont Bank, Shrewsbury, on Sunday before tearing at her clothes and attacking her.

The terrified victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was left with a broken nose, black eye and scratches on her body.

Sills, of Frankwell, Shrewsbury, admitted sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Telford Magistrates Court yesterday.

The woman spotted Sills peering down at her from the adjacent cubicle, the court heard.

Mr John Davies, prosecuting, said: "This was a pre-meditated serious attack on a stranger female in a confined space.

"The victim saw a set of hands coming over the top of the cubicle. It was the defendant.

"She told him to go away but he said 'What are you talking about, you're asking for it'.

As the victim attempted to flee, Sills blocked her exit.

The frightened woman hit Sills as he pulled down her top and snatched her glasses off her face, the court was told.

The victim broke free and Sills told her he was "sorry".

Mr Davies said CCTV footage recovered by police showed Sills loitering outside the ladies' toilet before the attack.

Sills told police at interview he "lost control".

Mr Paul Nicholas, for Sills, said: "He was diagnosed in his youth as having autism. His behaviour shows low-level thinking and he had drunk quite a few pints of beer.

"He has told me the young lady will know she does not have to give evidence in court because he has pleaded guilty today and done the right thing."

Sentencing was adjourned to a date to be fixed and Sills was remanded in custody.

By Tom Johannsen