AN Accrington man had sex with a schoolgirl after letting her stay at his house, a court heard.

John Bainbridge, 29, pleaded guilty at Hyndburn magistrates to having unlawful sex with the 13-year-old.

He also admitted indecently assaulting the same girl and a 14-year-old girl who had also slept at his house.

The court heard how Bainbridge befriended the two girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, shortly after moving into a rented house in Accrington in March.

He allowed the girls, who were friends, to sleep at his house overnight on many occasions, said David Hartley, prosecuting.

Mr Hartley told the court that one night during the Easter school holidays the two girls stayed at Bainbridge's house.

The 14-year-old girl slept in the same upstairs room as Bainbridge, now of Winston Road, Blackburn, and he asked her if she wanted to have sex with him, said Mr Hartley. The girl said no and Bainbridge indecently assaulted her, then told other people what he had done the next morning, it was claimed.

Mr Hartley said that Bainbridge later asked the 13-year-old girl if he wanted to have a relationship with him.

"The girl has described it as a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship and they had sex on more than one occasion," Mr Hartley told the magistrates.

He added that Bainbridge admitted to police that he had sex with the girl on several occasions at his home and once at the girl's mother's house. He also admitted indecently assaulting her on one occasion.

Mr Hartley added: "The defendant has abused his position and age. One of the girls says she consented, but the courts have to protect young girls from themselves in these circumstances."

Defending, Richard Prew said Bainbridge had been "extremely candid" with police and had admitted what had happened. The magistrates released Bainbridge on conditional bail and the case was adjourned for sentence at crown court.

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