A MINEHEAD man who raped a 30-year-old woman with learning difficulties has been warned he could receive "a very considerable" prison sentence.

Martyn Irish, 24, whose address in the town was withheld, knew his victim and went to her home one evening indicating he wanted sex with her, Taunton Crown Court was told.

She had not had sex before and said she did not want to, but he took his clothes off and forced her to have intercourse in a bedroom upstairs, said Ian Dixey, prosecuting.

The woman was extremely upset and told her mother two days later that he had forced her. Her mother went to Irish's family to remonstrate with them and he admitted what he had done and said he was sorry.

When first seen by police, he denied it happened and claimed to have an alibi but pleaded guilty shortly before a case was listed for trial.

"He seems to accept that he went around, that he wanted to have sex with somebody because his partner had refused to have sex with him, and he regarded the woman as an easy target," said Mr Dixey.

"As far as the prosecution is concerned, he knew she did not want to have sex with him and he forced her to do so. The prosecution do not accept she led him on, because her mother had noted she did not appear to have any interest in sex," he added.

The offence had a profound effect on her. She was no longer able to live independently and was very frightened by what happened.

Rebecca Bradberry, for Irish, said he was living in Minehead with stringent conditions and was at great pains to clarify where he could and could not go.

After considering psychiatric and probation reports, Judge Graham Hume Jones remanded Irish in custody for further investigation.

He added: "You are facing a very considerable prison sentence. I want more information from the doctors. You will be seen by another doctor and a report will come before me and I will make a final decision."