A man who repeatedly raped one girl and sexually abused two other children has been warned he faces a lengthy jail term.

Dean Faulkner had been due to face trial accused of carrying out the string of offences between 1997 and 2009.

But before a jury could be sworn in on the first day of his trial at Swindon Crown Court, the 46-year-old pleaded guilty to eight of the nine charges against him.

Prosecutors said after speaking to the complainant in that matter, they would not seek a trial on it.

Faulkner raped the first child on a number of occasions between 1999 and 2003, when she was aged about 14 to 18 years old.

He also carried out sexual assaults on the youngster between the ages of 12 and 18 in Royal Wootton Bassett, where all of the offences took place.

The second victim was aged 11 to 15 years old when he carried out a series of sex attacks on her between 2004 and 2009.

She also said he raped her in autumn 2008, when she was 15 years old, which he denied and will be left to lie on the file.

The final incident took place around New Years Day 2009 when he sexually abused a boy.

Faulkner, now of Colwyn Bay, Wales, pleaded guilty to a multi-incident count of rape, meaning the offence happened more than once.

He also admitted three indecent assaults, two sexual assaults and two of sexual activity with a child. He pleaded not guilty to one count of rape.

Andrew Hobson, defending, said his client accepted he was facing a lengthy jail term and did not seek to have his bail renewed.

Judge Euan Ambrose adjourned the case to a date to be fixed so the probation service can compile a pre-sentence report and remanded him in custody.

He said "I make it clear that that is not for the purpose of considering anything but a custodial sentence."