A 26 year old man had sex with a 14 year old schoolgirl who has learning difficulties.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the girl, who Ian Keith Roberts knew was under age, also had behavioural and emotional problems.

Roberts, who previously lived in Blackburn but is currently in Preston Prison, pleaded guilty to two charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and was committed in custody to Preston Crown Sentence.

He will appear there on March 28 when he is also due to be sentenced for other, similar matters.

Clare Fanning, prosecuting, said the offences were aggravated by the fact that the girl was such a vulnerable victim. Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Roberts had met the girl purely by chance when she dropped her schoolbag into the front garden of his house.

"She went to retrieve it and a friendship developed from there," said Mr Blacklidge.

"Initially he was helping her with her homework and he concedes things moved on from there. He has made very full and very brave admissions to the police and he will be given credit for that when he is sentenced at the Crown Court."