A rapist broke into the home of a woman he knew and attacked her twice in a terrifying attack.

On Monday at Croydon Crown Court, 32-year-old engineer Shaun McDowell, of Strasberg Road, Battersea, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape on a 19-year-old woman.

On November 17 last year, McDowell climbed through a window at the woman’s house before entering her bedroom and sitting on the edge of her bed.

When the woman awoke, McDowell threatened her with a screwdriver before raping her twice.

A short time after he left, McDowell phoned the woman’s mobile phone and spoke with her mother who encouraged him to go to the police.

McDowell went to Sutton police station later that day where he admitted the offences. He was charged on Wednesday November 18 with two counts of rape.

DC John Daly, of the Sapphire Unit based at Sutton, said: “McDowell specifically targeted this woman put her through a horrendous ordeal.

"I would like to take this opportunity to praise her for her bravery and hope that this case will encourage other woman to come forward if they have been a victim of rape."

McDowell will be sentenced on 9 July 2010 at Croydon Crown Court.