A MAN in his early twenties denies knowing a young girl he had sex with last year was underage.

Appearing at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, yesterday, 21-year-old Jonathan Gary Turns denied three counts of sexual activity with a child.

The alleged offences were said to have taken place on a date between October and December 2019, and on Thursday July 16 last year.

Two of the offences were said to have happened before and after the pair watched Netflix programmes while lying on a bed.

The prosecution claims that the complainant claims to have told him how old she was, at the time.

Tony Davis, representing the defendant, said his client claims the single alleged offence said to have taken place in 2019, “never happened”, and he does not recall her being there at the time.

But he said when the later offences were said to have happened he accepted sexual intercourse took place, but that he did not believe the girl was aged under 16.

Dates were then agreed between Andrew Finlay, for the prosecution, and Mr Davis, for the submission of the Crown’s case, on or before Tuesday January 25, and the defendant’s statement in response, by Tuesday February 22.

A pre-recording of the complainant’s evidence and cross-examination will take place in March, with a date for the start of the trial at the court set for Wednesday June 22.

Judge Singh adjourned for a trial on that date, but he agreed to extend bail for the defendant, of Everton Drive, Seaham, County Durham, with a condition that he does not contact the complainant in the case.

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