A MILD-MANNERED diabetic turned into a sadistic sex monster who raped and strangled a woman after he had downed 15 cans of lager, a court heard yesterday.

Steven Graham tried to throttle his victim after pouncing as she took a shortcut through Blackhill and Consett park, in County Durham, after a night out, in November 2005.

The 21-year-old victim struck up a conversation with Graham, now aged 20, as she made her way home.

But after they parted company, Newcastle Crown Court heard how the alcohol triggered a hypo-glycaemic state that turned Graham into a vicious sex attacker.

He chased the woman, dragged her into bushes and subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault before trying to strangle her.

He left her semi-naked and unconscious.

Former supermarket worker Graham, of Edith Street, Consett, yesterday admitted three charges of rape and one charge of attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle, all relating to the same woman.

His guilty pleas were on the basis he had been "reckless" in downing a significant quantity of alcohol, which he says led to the change in his personality.

Chris Knox, prosecuting, told the court: "He says he had this hypo-glycaemic attack and we really can't seriously take issue with it."

Judge David Wood remanded Graham into custody. He will be sentenced next month after the preparation of reports by the Probation Service and police sex offender workers.

The victim was traumatised by the ordeal and required treatment at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Nail led a team of 20 officers in the inquiry.

He said: "The sequence of events and ferocity of the attacks means it is one of the worst I have ever dealt with.

"It has had a massive impact on the victim and she is still receiving treatment.

"It has changed her social habits and her demeanour. She is not as outgoing she was."

Graham was arrested 11 days after the attack. Someone who knew him called the police, suspecting he was the rapist because of the scratches on his face.

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