A TEENAGER from Swindon has admitted two counts of sexual offences with a girl under the age of 16 after skipping police bail.

Richey Afonso, 19, of Medgbury Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child involving penetration when he appeared at a hearing at Swindon Crown Court yesterday.

Afonso attended the hearing with his two sisters on either arm, and spoke only to confirm his pleas to each of the counts.

He admitted that on 21 February this year, as a person over 18-years-old, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 on two separate occasions.

Afonso had been sought by police in May of this year after failing to answer his bail. He had been arrested and was due to attend a hearing on May 15 but never arrived.

Police put out an appeal to trace the Swindon-based Goan after efforts to locate him had failed.

Afonso was released on police bail pending further enquiries but failed to answer his bail on May 15 at Gablecross Police Station, Swindon.

Following enquiries at the time, police ascertained Afonso’s employers had not heard from him for several months but they believed he was still in the UK.

The court heard during his hearing yesterday that the sex had been consensual but imposed strict conditions on Afonso’s bail, including not to travel within a one mile radius of the home of the complainant.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told the court: “From what has been recorded this was clearly, insofar as the complainant was concerned, consensual sexual activity.”

Kuljeet Dobe, defending, said: “The bail conditions are a curfew from 9pm to 7am and not to contact the complainant under any circumstances.

“He is also not to enter a certain area, which is a one mile radius around the home of the complainant. He has also had his passport taken away.”

Judge Douglas Field, putting the case back, told Afonso: “I am adjourning your case until September 11 for a pre-sentence report to be carried out.

“I am ordering the probation service to order the pre-sentence report. I am also going to impose a further condition for you to co-operate with probation.

“The fact that I am granting you bail should give you no indication as to the final outcome of your case now that you have pleaded guilty.”

Afonso will be recalled to court on September 11 when he will be sentenced and could face a substantial jail term.