A MAN freed after 27 years of wrongful imprisonment for the rape and murder of a Southampton woman may face further time behind bars after he admitted sexually assaulting a young woman.

Sean Hodgson was freed in 2009 after having his conviction for the rape and murder of Teresa De Simone in 1979 overturned.

Her body was found in her car at the rear of the Tom Tackle pub in Commercial Road and Hodgson, 60, was sentenced three years later.

He appeared today before a judge at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for sexually assaulting a vulnerable 22-year-old woman on August 12 last year.

Hodgson, of Park Street, Willington, near Crook, County Durham, committed the offence less than 18 months after his release.

Judge Christopher Prince said Hodgson could be jailed for up to two years - or could walk free should he agree to complete a psychiatric order imposed by the court.

The judge said it was within his power to impose a community sentence but that his chief duty was to protect the public.

He said: ''The fact this defendant has spent 27 years in custody for a crime he did not commit is not a relevant sentencing factor for this offence.

''He is not entitled to a reduction from sentence solely because he has served that time in custody.

''If he is due compensation, that comes from another source.

''Bearing in mind the vulnerability of the victim, the use of alcohol by this defendant, and the apparent lack of remorse or willingness to accept that which he has done, will allow this to be at the top end of sentencing, of even a minimum of two years.

''He clearly bears a great resentment against a criminal justice system that has deprived him of 27 years liberty.

''The key is to protect the public as much as is possible and in the most effective manner from any possible future offending by Mr Hodgson.''

The case was stood down and was adjouned until tomorrow morning, to allow Hodgson to take legal advice from his barrister, Martin Heslop.

Hodgson, who suffers from depression and schizophrenia, maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration, which prevented him from being paroled.

He was released in March 2009 after his conviction was quashed at London's Court of Appeal.

He launched a compensation bid against the Home Office for wrongful conviction and could be eligible for up to £1m.

He is understood to have received £250,000 so far.

In 2009 Teresa De Simone's killer was named as David Lace, who committed suicide in 1988, aged 26.

His body was exhumed from a cemetery in Portsmouth in order for DNA tests to be carried out to confirm his identity.