Paroled Sydney murderer pleads guilty to attempted rape

A Sydney man who served more than two decades behind bars for murder has pleaded guilty to attempting to rape a woman just months after his release.

Terrence John Leary attacked a 30-year-old Thai national at a bus stop in Hunters Hill in June 2013.

The court heard Leary grabbed her around the neck, pulled her to the ground and said "take your pants off" as she attempted to break free.

When her escape attempts failed, she tried to calm Leary.

Instead, he stabbed her in the shoulder, bit her finger and punched her in the face, before police arrived.

Leary had served 22 and a half years in jail for using a hammer to kill Vanessa Hoson after she refused to have sex with him.

Ms Hoson’s family welcomed the news Leary was facing another lengthy stint behind bars.  

“It is a bit of relief he’s pleaded guilty,” her brother-in-law Chris Walker told 9NEWS.

“It means we don’t have to sit through a lengthy court case and we can get it over and done with.”

Mr Walker said Leary should never have been granted parole.

“That’s all we ask for, that it doesn’t happen again,” Mr Walker said.

“The Attorney-General and the judicial system need to do something to make that happen.

“The longer the sentence they give him, the better.”

Leary will face a sentencing hearing in October.