A 24-year-old man has been remanded in custody to await sentence after a jury found him guilty of having sex with a girl half his age.

After an hour's deliberation a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday convicted Delwar Hussain on two charges of indecent assault.

The court heard on Tuesday that charges of rape against Hussain were not being pursued, but that his only defence to the indecent assault allegations was that he genuinely believed the youngster was 16 and was consenting to sex with him.

The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she had told Hussain she was "12, almost 13".

The teenager, who is now 14, was said to have become friendly with Hussain after meeting him in Keighley last year. Prosecutor Michael Smith said they later had sex on two occasions.

The girl said Hussain, of Lawkholme Lane, Keighley, originally told her he was only 18, but later revealed his true age of 23 at the time.

After the jury returned their unanimous guilty verdicts, Judge Roger Scott indicated that he was prepared to sentence Hussain immediately, but his barrister Sarah Barlow said her client wanted a pre-sentence report preparing before he was dealt with.

Hussain, who had no previous convictions, was told by Judge Scott that his sentencing would take place on November 7 and because of the nature of the offences he would have to register as a sex offender.

But Judge Scott said Hussain would have to remain in custody for the next three weeks.