A MAN has admitted travelling from Spain to East Lancashire to have sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Bartender Grant Lealand met his underage victim while she was on a prolonged visit to the popular holiday destination, Preston Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors said the 28-year-old groomed the youngster who had been visiting family, over a series of visits.

The court heard that following the teenager’s final visit to Spain, Lealand had stepped up his campaign of sexual grooming contacting the youngster online.

The 14-year-old was said to believe she was in a relationship with the man, prosecutors said.

When she returned to East Lancashire, Lealand decided to follow the teen completely unbeknown to the victim’s family or friends, the court heard.

Prosecutors said Lealand kept up his contact the schoolgirl via the internet.

Lealand, who gave his address as St Cuthberts Road, Prestwich, then arranged to meet the youngster at a Clitheroe hotel.

The offences were only discovered when a teacher at the girl’s school noticed she was being picked up regularly by Lealand.

The school contacted the Engage team who were then able to safeguard the youngster.

Appearing in the dock, Lealand pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child.

A second count of meeting a female under the age of sexual grooming was left to rest on the file.

DS Mark Whelan, of Lancashire police’s Engage team, said: “Lealand has been brought to justice thanks to the excellent work from the school in identifying a child who was vulnerable.

“The links the team has with multiple agencies has proved invaluable in dealing with this case and moving quickly to safegaurd the child involved.

“We are extremely happy with a guilty plea as it means the child does not have to give evidence in court.”

Lealand will be sentenced at a later date.