A Grays man has admitted to raping a woman in Tilbury.

The victim reported that prior to the attack at around 11pm on Saturday 9 September 2017, she had been approached by a man in an alleyway adjacent to Tilbury Taxis, before being forced to a green area near Church Road, where she was attacked. 

Marian Neagu, 31, of Castle Road, Grays, was arrested on Wednsday 4 April after a member of public recognised him from a CCTV photo issued as part of an Essex Police appeal for information.

He was charged with rape later that day.

Appearing at Basildon Crown Court for the first time on Friday, May 1 he pleaded guilty.

Neagu is due to be sentenced at the same court on July 5.