A TRAINEE chef serving six years in prison for grooming a teenage girl has pleaded guilty to a catalogue of sex offences against two children.

Christopher Paylor faced 18 charges dating back to 2004 to 2007, including rape and sexual assault against his victims, when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to five charges and the court heard that they will remain on record and a pre-sentence report to ascertain his 'dangerousness' was requested by the judge.

Appearing via videolink from prison, the defendant remained impassive throughout the hearing whist the nature of the charges were read out to him.

The judge, Recorder Alistair MacDonald QC, said: "You should not assume from this call for a pre-sentence report that anything other than custody is appropriate in this case."

In March, Paylor of Cliff Terrace, Saltburn, admitted three charges of sexual activity with a child, and was also put on the sex offenders’ register for life.

In an impact statement, the girl said: “When I met Chris, I was young and naive. I feel he took advantage of me. I accept my attitude at the time did me no favours, but he should have known better. After all that’s happened, I now realise what happened was completely wrong.”

Paylor will be sentenced in January.