A man accused of raping a young boy dramatically changed his plea to guilty midway through a trial at Worcester Crown Court.

John Cooper, aged 44, of East Street, Kidderminster, admitted three counts of raping the boy when the boy was 12 and 13.

A fourth count of rape against the same victim was not proceeded with and left to lie on the prosecution file.

Judge Andrew Geddes remanded Cooper in custody and ordered a pre-sentence report.

Cooper's change of heart came on the second day of the trial after the jury had heard details of his police interview and before the boy, now aged 16, gave evidence.

The defendant had already conceded he had persuaded the boy to have oral sex with him.

After his pleas, prosecutor Jonathan Gosling revealed that Cooper had a previous conviction in 1976 for indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl when he was aged 17.

Kidderminster magistrates gave him three years' probation for the attack. No other crimes were on his record.

The boy was molested between August 1999 and August 2001, the jury heard.

Nicolas Cartwright, defending, asked for Cooper to be allowed bail so he could say his goodbyes over Christmas to his elderly mother who lived in Blakedown and prepare himself for a long custodial term.

But Judge Geddes refused because of the risk that the defendant might abscond.

The judge warned that Cooper was facing a substantial term of imprisonment. He must also register with police as a sex offender for life.