A 46-year-old man has admitted forcing his way into a pensioner's home as she made breakfast and raping her.

Jason Batchelor, of Wallington, barged into the woman's house in Purley and punched her in the face before subjecting her to the "horrific ordeal".

The victim, aged in her 70s, suffered extensive bruising in the May 11 attack in Russell Hill Road.

Batchelor, of Malden Road, is facing a length jail term after pleading guilty to rape, sexual assault, causing actual bodily harm and trespass with intent to committ a sexual offence at Croydon Crown Court today.

The "dangerous offender" tapped on a window at the back of the victim's house 7.50am on the day of the attack.

When the pensioner gestured for him to leave her garden, he walked around the house and knocked at the front door before forcing it open with his foot when she opened it to ask what he wanted.

At a preliminary hearing on May 16, Croydon Magistrates' Court heard Batchelor told the woman: "You know what I want."

He then punched her in the face and launched a horrific sexual assault. 

Following the attack, Batchelor stole cash from the victim before telling her: "If you tell the police I’ll f***ing murder you."

After he had left the pensioner locked the door and called a friend, who alerted emergency services.

She was taken to hospital for treatment. 

Police launched appeal to find her attacker, using an detailing description provided by the victim.

Officers arrested Batchelor on May 14 after his DNA matched that of the rapist.

When he was arrested, he told police: "I’m sorry, I have never done anything like this before. I swear to God I’ve messed up, I’m sorry.”

He was charged the next day and remanded in custody. 

He will be sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on August 19.

Detectives today praised the victim's "courage and bravery".

Detective Constable Richard Scott said: "I would like to pay tribute to the victim who has been extraordinarily robust throughout the investigation.

"I would also like to thank all the witnesses that came forward and gave valuable evidence which, along with the DNA evidence, resulted in an overwhelming case against Jason Batchelor, who was left with little option but to plead guilty today."

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Keith Ward, said: "This was a horrific ordeal for this elderly lady and her courage and bravery throughout this investigation has been humbling.

"Batchelor is a dangerous offender who committed offences against the woman in her own home, a place where she has every right to feel safe and secure.

"Thankfully offences of this nature are very rare and I hope that the swift identification, arrest and charge of Batchelor will give other victims of sexual offences the confidence to come forward in the belief that they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity by specially trained detectives who are committed to supporting victims and bringing perpetrators to justice."