Akeel Hanif, an unemployed 20-year-old from Collins Road, Bamber Bridge, was arrested in a police swoop on a Preston hotel room where he was found with a 15-year-old girl.

He had befriended the youngster a few months earlier and had taken her for meals, trips to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and, on at least three occasions, had booked hotel rooms for them in Preston and Blackpool.

The girl's concerned mum contacted the police after her daughter went missing several times.

It was one of 22 cases of exploitation being investigated by officers from Operation Deter – a Preston Police unit set up to tackle child sexual exploitation.

Police from the team raided a room at the Ibis Hotel in Garstang Road, Broughton, just before noon on August 4 after her mum reported the girl had been missing for two days.

They found Hanif "in a state of undress" with his young victim in bed.

He was arrested in his boxer shorts.

The court heard a forensic examination of the girl's underwear showed his DNA.

Hanif appeared at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday and he pleaded guilty to a charge of abducting the teenager, and another of sexual activity with a child.

He was remanded in custody until his sentence on December 1.

Judge Heather Lloyd warned him all sentencing options remained open.

Det Insp Jonathan Holmes, who heads Preston's public protection unit, said: "The forming of a close relationship with an older boyfriend, who may in fact be or become a coercer, is a typical scenario in child exploitation.

"Adults who exploit young people in this way are adept at the grooming process and target those who are vulnerable. They may offer them the affection they crave, material gifts, may introduce them to drugs or alcohol and inspire loyalty.

"Parents and social workers may find convincing the young person to return home or to end the relationship is extremely difficult, as in this case.

"The young person may not view themselves as a victim and may not be prepared to make a complaint to the police.

"The victim had gone missing on numerous occasions and her mum expressed her fears that there was an issue with this man through contact with the police. The Operation Deter team then took over.

"The girl didn't cooperate with police because sadly, as in many cases of exploitation, she didn't see herself as a victim.

"Hanif is a dangerous man who targeted someone considerably younger than him knowing she would be vulnerable if he spent the time and effort to groom her."

The Operation Deter team works alongside social workers and Preston Police's Missing From Home co-ordinator.

Social workers are currently supporting the victim and her family.

The case comes as a new support group SEEN (Sexual Exploitation Ends Now), set up by social workers from children's services and police, is launched to help educate concerned parents about warning signs to look out for, such as unexplained gifts.

Any parent who needs advice on exploitation can call SEEN on 01772 209912.

>> Vote in our latest web poll

i-map: All the news from around the North West on our interactive map