A paedophile who kept the drug mephedrone in his house was today behind bars awaiting sentence for abusing a girl half his age.

Jason Clive Smith, 32, changed his plea on the day of his trial after his barrister, Taryn Turner, asked Recorder Colin Burn how long a sentence he could expect if he pleaded guilty.

Only then did his 15-year-old victim know she would not have to give evidence against him to bring him to justice.

Police are now preparing to take a victim impact statement from her in which she will describe how Smith’s crimes have affected her and her life. The prosecution will give the statement to the judge before he sentences Smith on November 4.

Peter Cleasby, for the prosecution, told York Crown Court police found mephedrone at Smith’s house shortly after the sex crimes on April 8 this year. Mrs Turner said there was no evidence Smith had used the drug to lure the girl to his house. Smith, of Milton Place, Gowthorpe, Selby, had been charged with raping the girl twice, and a serious sexual offence and three alternative lesser charges of sexual activity with a girl under 16. Before he entered his pleas, Mrs Turner asked for a “Goodyear indication”, a commonly-used legal move under which a defendant can ask the judge in open court what would be the maximum sentence for his crime. After the judge said three and a half years should Smith plead guilty to two sexual activity charges, Smith changed his plea to guilty on those two charges, but denied the rest, and the prosecution accepted his pleas. He was remanded in custody.