An Afghan national has admitted raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton.

Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty of one count of raping a child under the age of 13 on 22 July.

Mulakhil, of no fixed abode, previously denied abducting a child, three counts of rape of a child under 13 and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 at a hearing in August.

He appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Friday alongside co-defendant Mohammad Kabir, also 23.

Mr Kabir, of no fixed abode, denied attempting to take a child, aiding and abetting rape of a child under 13 and intentional strangulation of the girl.

The defendants, who Warwickshire Police previously confirmed were Afghan nationals, were aided by interpreters during the hearing in front of Judge Kristina Montgomery KC.

Mr Kabir spoke only to confirm his name, while Mulakhil confirmed his name and entered his guilty plea when he was rearraigned on one count of rape.

The allegations against the two men led to protests outside Nuneaton Town Hall on 9 August when St George’s Cross and Union flags were held as protesters marched along the high street and chanted “stop the boats” and “we want our country back”.

Stand Up to Racism counter-protesters were significantly outnumbered outside the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council offices.