A MAN has been told he is facing a "lengthy" jail sentence for trying to rape a woman.

A court heard yesterday how the woman was asleep in a flat in Colchester when she woke up to find Robert Musonza on a bed next to her.

He denied trying anything sexual with the woman but admitted a charge of attempted rape when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Sentence was adjourned for reports but Recorder Rosamund Horwood-Smart QC told 34-year-old Musonza he was facing a "lengthy custodial sentence."

Samantha Leigh, prosecuting, told the court the woman had been out with friends on August 25 last year and went to the Hippodrome club in Colchester.

Later on, she returned to a flat at the Hythe and went to sleep on a bed. She awoke later when she felt a pain and saw Musonsa behind her.

Miss Leigh said the woman screamed and left the flat soon afterwards.

She was seen in a distressed state by a passer-by who gave her his phone and the woman phoned her mother before they both went to the police.

Musonsa, of Aston, Doncaster, Yorkshire, was arrested later and initially denied anything sexual had taken place, the court was told.

Musonsa was remanded in custody until next month. There was no application for bail.