Rape accused denies knowing girl was underage

David Thorne, 22, pleaded guilty at Lincoln Crown Court

A Lincolnshire man has admitted five charges of rape involving a 12-year-old girl.

David Thorne, 22, of New Crescent, Cherry Willingham, near Lincoln, pleaded guilty during a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court.

He also admitted three offences of assault by penetration on the same victim.

The court heard Thorne had entered the pleas on the basis that he believed the victim, who cannot be named, was over the age of consent.

Jeremy Janes, in mitigation, told the court Thorne accepted meeting the girl in his car on three occasions after contact between them on social media platform Snapchat.

All the offences happened in December 2023.

"She told him through the chats she was 17 – she said she was at college," Mr Janes said.

In response, David Eager, prosecuting, said the Crown Prosecution Service would require 14 days to decide if the basis of Thorne's pleas were acceptable.

Judge Simon Hirst told the defendant: "You have pleaded guilty to very serious matters.

"I will adjourn your case until 17 February for the prosecution to consider if they accept your basis of plea, which is that you had a genuine and reasonable belief that she was old enough to consent."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.