A man has been pleaded guilty to raping teenage girl in Thurrock more than 30 years ago.

Christopher Clark, 68, admitted rape when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court.

The victim, who was 18 at the time of the offence, was walking to work along Clockhouse Lane, North Stifford on September 17 1985.

She was approached by Clark who threatened her with a knife before dragging her into a farm yard and raping her.

DNA evidence was gathered at the time of the offence but the offender was ever found.

Following a periodic review of the case last year by Essex Police’s Cold Case Team, forensic evidence was submitted for testing following further advancements in DNA technology.

The DNA provided a match for Clark who is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction for a sexual offence in Bristol in 1997.

Clark of HMP Lincoln was arrested and charged with the offence in January this year.

He admitted the offence and continues to be remanded in custody awaiting sentence. A date for sentencing has not yet been set.

Following the result Senior Investigating Officer DCI Stephen Jennings of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “More than 32-years after she was subjected to a horrifying ordeal, Clark’s victim will now finally have justice.

“Nothing can ever change what happened to her that day when she was just a teenager – rape is an offence that has a lifelong lasting impact on victims.

“But now at least she can take some small comfort from that fact that Clark will finally face justice for the heinous crime he subjected her to that day.

“No unsolved case is ever closed and I hope this demonstrates Essex Police’s commitment to delivering justice to all victims, whether crimes are recent or non-recent offences.”

A sentencing date has yet to be set.