A man is to be sentenced next month (September) after admitting charges including sexual communication and sexual activity with a child.

It follows guilty pleas tendered by Luis Gomes to 12 counts put to him during a plea and trial preparation hearing at Durham Crown Court.

Appearing via video link from nearby Durham Prison, where he is on remand, the 24-year-old defendant, of Alderley, in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, admitted one count of sexual communication with a child, aged 13, covering a period from May 1 to July 21 this year.

He admitted two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, one of meeting a child following sexual grooming and five charges of sexual activity with a child, all said to have taken place on July 21 and 22.

Read more: Darlington pervert sent sick image to two 'young girls'

Gomes also admitted possessing indecent photos of a child, 12 in category A, 13 in category B and 20 in category C.

Alaric Walmsley, representing the defendant, said he pleaded guilty to the first count of sexual communication with a child on the basis that it was only over a two-week period and not the much longer period stipulated in the charge.

Lee Fish, prosecuting, said he would consult with Crown lawyers as to the basis of the plea and why the charge was dated from May 1.

Judge Jo Kidd adjourned the case to allow for the preparation of a background report on the defendant by the Probation Service prior to him being sentenced.

Read next:

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She said, given the nature of the charges he has now admitted, the defendant would automatically be required to comply with notification requirements as a sex offender.

But she said as he will remain remanded in custody during the period prior to sentence, it will have little immediate effect.

Gomes will appear again to be sentenced on Thursday, September 21.