A MAN who sexually abused a child numerous times has admitted committing the crimes.

At Bolton Crown Court Andrew Walsh, aged 55, of Hughes Street, Bolton, stood in the dock and pleaded guilty to two offences of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13.

One of the charges states that he touched the girl sexually whilst carrying out a sex act on himself and the other charge relates to Walsh touching the girl's private parts on at least 10 occasions.

Michael Goldwater, defending, told Judge Graeme Smith: "That plea is tended on an agreed basis that the touching was above the clothing — it wasn't skin-to-skin contact.

"The defendant is a man of hitherto good character and he has no previous convictions."

The case was adjourned to allow time for pre-sentence reports to be prepared on Walsh and he will be sentenced on April 29.

In the meantime he was bailed, with Judge Smith telling him: "These clearly are serious offences so all sentencing options are open." Walsh was placed on the sex offenders' register.