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Man accused of having sex with 13-year-old girl says he is in love with her

A man accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl he met through Facebook claimed to be in love with her.

Gheorghita Gabriel Nastasa, of Thomas Street, Portadown appeared before the High Court in Belfast today (Wednesday), charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child.

The 26-year-old Romanian national, appearing via videolink from Maghaberry, was making an application for bail.

Following his arrest in July, Nastasa admitted to having sexual intercourse with the youngster. He also admitted to knowing her age but that he didn’t realise it was a crime.

His arrest came about when victim’s mother had contacted police after attending the hospital with her daughter on July 11.

However, the bail application was adjourned as police are set to interview a third party in relation to the incident, and that judge raised concerns the defendant, who admitted to being in love with the complainant, would try and make contact with the 13-year-old.

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