Kasim Khuram pleaded guilty on Wednesday to an offence of sexual penetration of a body at the Central England Co-operative Funeralcare home in Walsall Road on November 11.

A judge adjourned Khuram's sentencing for a psychiatric report until January 31 2019, but warned the defendant he was facing a 'substantial' jail term.

Khuram, of Kenilworth Road in Aston, Birmingham, appeared in custody in Birmingham Crown Court dock flanked by a security officer during a 10-minute hearing on Wednesday.

Kasim Khuram admitted having sex with a dead body

The 23-year-old also admitted burglary of the funeral home, breaking into the building with the intention of stealing.

Wearing a black hooded top and trousers and sporting a Palestinian flag tattoo on the left side of his neck, he stood with hands clutched in front of him as the charges were read.

The court heard he was briefly sectioned on arrest.

Judge Francis Laird QC said: "I will adjourn your sentence to the date that has been raised in court.

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"I will allow your solicitors the appropriate time to present to the court a medical report which your solicitor thinks will assist in delivering the appropriate sentence for you.

"But you must be under no illusion that you will receive a sentence of imprisonment for your offending in this case - a substantial sentence of imprisonment."

Following the hearing, a Central England Co-operative spokesman, said: "Our primary concern is for the families we serve and the welfare of our funeral colleagues who have all been deeply affected by this incredibly disturbing and unprecedented event.

"The security measures at Great Barr are such that the alarm alerted the police, who were thankfully able to apprehend the suspect at the scene.

"We would like to thank the West Midlands Police for their care and assistance and we will work to support them in any way possible.

"We will not be making any further comment until the conclusion of this case."