An Ashford man has today admitted 14 sex attacks on women in Kent dating back more than 20 years.

Bespectacled John Williams, 46, pleaded guilty to 13 charges - and asked for another 16 to be considered, including another sex attack.

The offences took place between November 1991 and August 2013 and involve nine victims.

The crimes include:

• December 10, 1991 - indecent assault and theft of a handbag inVictoria Park, Ashford

• November 10, 2010 - 18-year-old woman attacked at SingletonLake on a footpath between Bucksford Lane and Brookfield Road inAshford

• December 7, 2010 - a sex attack on a 20-year-old in Ashford

• November 18, 2011 - a sex attack on a 50-year-old in Ashford

• June 29, 2012 - two attacks on a 16-year-old schoolgirl inwoodland off Wesley School Road, Ashford

• September 2012 - a sex assault and an attempted sex assault ona 47-year-old on a grass track in Britannia Lane, Ashford

• July 8, 2013 - two assaults of a 16-year-old in Tunbury Wood, Walderslade

• August 2, 2013 - two assaults on a 22-year-old woman at Singleton Lane

Williams, of Essetford Road, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing. Described as a concrete batcher, his job involves making cement in a machine.

Dressed in a dark suit and light shirt he was asked by the clerk if he was John Williams.

He replied: "John David Williams" and then answered "guilty" to each of the 13 main charges - which include groping breasts.

As he admitted his crimes, some of his victims - who sat with police officers in the public gallery - openly wept and were comforted by friends.

He was also asked if he wanted the judge to take another 16 offences - 15 of them thefts dating back to when he was in his mid 20s - and he replied: "I do".

Judge Adele Williams then remanded him in custody for three months for the preparation of psychiatric and probation reports.

She told him: "Before I come to decide what the right sentence is for you I have ordered a psychiatric report to determine what level of risk you pose in general and to women in particular.

"Plainly, these matters are very grave indeed and you will be remanded in custody."

He will be sentenced on April 4.

After the hearing, Det Insp Richard Vickery said: "We have got to this stage thanks to the great deal of help from local people, who have responded to our various appeals for information.

"Above all at this time our thoughts need to be with the victims of Williams' offences. These women have been put through very frightening ordeals and the evidence that they were able to provide has without doubt resulted in these guilty pleas."

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