A NORTH-EAST man appeared in court yesterday to face a catalogue of sex charges against twelve children.

Lawrence Petch, of Parker Terrace, Ferryhill, County Durham, was due to stand trial at Teesside Crown Court, but entered guilty pleas to some charges following discussions with his barrister and the Crown Prosecution Service.

A total of 23 charges faced the 53-year-old when he appeared before Judge Tony Briggs.

He pleaded guilty to inciting a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity between January 2004 and August 2004.

He also admitted taking indecent photographs of the same girl. Petch also pleaded guilty to four counts of making a payment for the sexual services of a 16-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl.

Petch pleaded guilty to inciting a 14-year-old female to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted making a payment for the sexual services of a 14-year-old child and taking indecent photographs of the same girl between May 2004 and August 2004.

Charges relating to another 14-year-old girl were also put to Petch, who is remanded in custody, and he pleaded guilty to making payment for sexual services of her, inciting her to engage in sexual activity and taking indecent photographs of her.

He admitted making payment for sexual services of a child and taking indecent photographs of another girl, whose age was not read out in court. A charge of engaging in sexual activity with the same girl is being considered by the Crown Prosecution Service and no plea was entered.

Petch also admitted inciting a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity between January 2004 and August 19, 2004, and the same charge relating to a 12-year-old female between April and August last year.

However, he pleaded not guilty to four counts of taking indecent photographs relating to two victims, inciting a 13-year-old to use a sex toy, and an offence of possessing 303 indecent photographs of another victim.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the pleas were accepted by the Crown and matters relating to other girls would remain on file.

The case was adjourned for psychiatric and pre-sentence reports to be prepared before sentencing in April.