A MAN has admitted child abduction and sexual touching charges relating to a girl he is said to have approached in a village park.

But Colin Luke has denied a further count of sexual touching relating another girl, arising from the same incident.

Fifty-nine-year-old Luke put his pleas to the three charges while appearing at a short hearing via video link to Holme House Prison, Stockton, relayed to Durham Crown Court.

He was arrested after allegations were made to police over events in a park and nearby woodland in Bowburn, near Durham, on Wednesday March 12.

One of the girls was said to have been taken into the wooded area and indecently assaulted.

The incident is said to have ended when the girl received a call from her concerned mother on her mobile phone.

Proesecuting counsel Anne Richardson said the reviewing Crown lawyer will decide if the charges are to be accepted, following consultation with the officer in the case and the family of the alleged victim of the count denied by Luke.

She will inform the court and defence representatives of the decision in the next week.

If the pleas are accepted Luke, of Lawson Road, Bowburn, will be sentenced on July 11, but, if not, the case will be adjourned for trial on the charge he denies, scheduled to start at the court on Monday August 18.

Recorder Ray Singh remanded Luke back to custody pending the next hearing, on which ever date it takes place.