Man admits sex with 14-year-old girlfriend

A 27-year-old Murchison man has admitted having sex with a 14-year-old girl he dated for several months.

Prosecuting, Sergeant Wayne Johnston told Nelson District Court yesterday, the man, who has interim name suppression, met the girl, who was 13 at the time, when he started working in Murchison.

The pair began a relationship and in April this year started having consensual sex, at times not using any contraception.

Mr Johnston said the couple had sex about 20 times, sometimes in the man's car or in a caravan.

The man told police he was very remorseful for what had happened and "deeply regretted" the effect it had on the girl's parents.

Judge David McKegg remanded the man on bail until January 21 for a pre-sentence report and sentence.

- NZPA