A MAN who has admitted sexually abusing three under-age girls has been released on bail.

Matthew Shaw carried out the sex attacks on the youngsters during a four-year period at the turn of the millennium.

At an earlier hearing the 28-year-old admitted offences against two of the girls but denied any wrongdoing against the third.

He had been due to face trial by judge and jury accused of rape, attempted rape and indecent assault on the third victim. But after he admitted a further five counts of indecent assault, prosecutors said they would not seek a trial on the more serious charges.

Shaw, formerly of Denbeck Wood, Eastleaze, pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault and not guilty to rape, attempted rape and three charges of indecent assault between 1998 and 2002.

Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case to May 17 and released him on conditional bail.