A KIDNAPPER has pleaded guilty to snatching a teen.

Billy Livingstone, 19, of Marlowe Avenue, admitting kidnapping the boy on July 9.

The Park North man appeared at Swindon Crown Court via video link from HMP Bullingdon, near Bicester. Wearing an Emporio Armani t-shirt, Livingstone spoke to confirm his name and to plead guilty to a charge of taking the boy unlawfully and by force.

Judge Jason Taylor said: “You have pleaded guilty today and you will be given credit for that plea in due course. There might be a few final details that need to be hammered out. You know how serious this office is because you will have been advised [by your lawyer].”

Livingstone will be sentenced on September 4. He was remanded into custody.

Police also arrested three other teenagers in connection with the kidnap. A 17-year-old boy from Swindon has been released under investigation and two other boys, 15 and 14, were released on bail pending further enquiries.

The kidnap saw police flood Walcot, Park North, Eldene, Nythe and Greenbridge in early July. Specialist dog handlers attended the incident together with the police helicopter.

At the time a spokeswoman said: “At this stage we do not believe that anyone has been injured.”