A CHEF has pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 14-year-old girl as she made her way to school.

David Young, of Garton Close, Ifield, Crawley, also admitted breaching a sexual offence prevention order (SOPO) dating back to September 2012 for having unsupervised contact with a child.

The 32-year-old denied kidnapping the teenager with intent to commit a sexual offence and a further breach of the SOPO by accessing a social networking site.

Sussex Police said the girl was approached on her way to school in the Three Bridges area by a man wearing a yellow high visibility jacket on October 13, 2021.

He reportedly took her to a nearby area and searched her clothing before leaving the scene on a bicycle.

The girl, whose identity cannot be revealed legally, was unharmed and given support, the force said.

The case at Hove Crown Court was adjourned until February 9 for the prosecution to decide whether to proceed with a trial on the remaining two charges set to be held on March 28.

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