A 35-year-old man has pleaded guilty to raping three elderly care home residents in what police have described as an “appalling” case.

Joshua Springer, who attacked the women at a facility in the Stamford area of Lincolnshire, also raped a fourth woman at an address in North Yorkshire.

He admitted nine counts of rape and three counts of making indecent images of children when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court. He will be sentenced in February.

Lincolnshire Police say their investigations into Springer – who also uses the names Kearney and Kearney-Springer – are continuing and urged other victims to come forward.

Det Ch Insp Jennifer Lovatt said: “Springer’s actions show a clear lack of human decency and respect for the victims he targeted.

“He abused a position of trust and used the access he had to attack some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“It is appalling, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families.”

An investigation was launched in June after reports vulnerable people had been sexually assaulted at an elderly residential care home, which cannot be named for legal reasons.

Springer of Cornstall Buildings in Stamford, Lincolnshire, was arrested and subsequently charged in July.

Det Ch Insp Lovatt said: “The impact of Springer’s actions cannot be overestimated and will have long-lasting consequences. It was imperative that we got him behind bars and out of our community.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the women at the centre of this case and their families.

“Their courage and dignity cannot be put into words, and I hope that by bringing Springer to justice, they feel some form of comfort even if the road ahead is a long one.”