A FORMER school technician has admitted having an affair with a 15-year-old girl and sexually touching her on several occasions.

Andrew Carl Patton, 21, has left the school where he worked and been suspended by the Scout Movement, in which he was also involved, York Crown Court heard.

His defence barrister Chris Smith said Patton had had a “genuinely affectionate two-way relationship” with the girl.

But he accepted that he had kissed her against the law on more than one occasion and had touched her inappropriately on more than one occasion.

Patton, of Lady Hamilton Gardens, Holgate, York, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault and his case was adjourned while a pre-sentence report is prepared.

He must sign on the sex offender register. The exact length of time he will be on the register will be decided when he is sentenced on September 6.