Man admits indecent assaults on young boy

Robert Black pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault before giving evidence as he starts his defence at Teesside Crown Court.

The jury heard earlier Black, 71, of Derwent Grange, Hartlepool, faces six charges of sexually assaulting two boys.

Inviting the jury to find Black guilty of the two charges he admitted, Judge Howard Crowson said: "There can be no stronger evidence of guilt than a defendant's admission."

The jury foreman returned two guilty verdicts.

Black continues to deny the other four charges, all of which relate to one alleged victim.

He is on trial with four other men who face a total of 17 child abuse charges against three alleged victims.

Geoff Hillier, 72, of Haswell Avenue, Hartlepool, denies two charges of indecent assault, and two serious sexual offences.

Alan Edmenson, 66, of Ibrox Grove, Hartlepool, denies one charge of indecent assault..

Joseph Brown, 81, of Front Street, Hart, denies one charge of indecent assault.

Peter Watts, 72, of Oxford Road, Hartlepool, denies five charges of indecent assault.

All of the offences are alleged to have taken place in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Proceeding.