A man has admitted to arranging the sexual assault of a ‘child’ at a Southampton retail park.

Bernard McPhillips was talking to who he believed was a child under the age of 13.

He was conversing with a police officer posing as the pre-teen.

It is alleged that on October 27, 2023, the 57-year-old of Bury Road, Gosport, arranged an act which would involve the sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

The assault was planned to take place at Antelope Park in Thornhill, the court heard.

McPhillips appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday to enter his plea.

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He pleaded guilty to a charge of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, namely the sexual assault of a child.

Judge Peter Henry ordered a pre-sentence report and McPhillips will return to the same court on June 13 to be sentenced.

He is on conditional bail and is not permitted to engage in conversation with anyone under the age of 18.

He is also not permitted to be in the company of any person under the age of 18 unless an adult is present.