A Sandys man has admitted to a string of child pornography and sexual abuse charges relating to six young girls.

The case against 24-year-old Melvin Martin is the first to be brought by prosecutors since new legislation came into force last May, relating to making and accessing child pornography. He could face up to 20 years in jail after pleading guilty to the offences at Supreme Court yesterday.

All but one of Martin's victims were under the age of 14 at the time that he abused them. None of them can be identified for legal reasons. Martin admitted to 11 charges in total.

The first four relate to two instances of sexually exploiting the first girl by touching her, and making child pornography by recording her on those occasions.

He further admitted to accessing child pornography relating to still pictures of a second girl engaged in explicit sexual activity, and to sexually exploiting and making pornography in relation to a third girl, who he recorded.

His abuse of a fourth young victim, who was aged 14 to 16, saw him admit to having unlawful carnal knowledge and making pornographic recordings of her. Charges of accessing child pornography relate to still pictures of the fifth and sixth victims.

Martin pleaded not guilty to three further charges of accessing child pornography, one of making child pornography and one of having unlawful carnal knowledge. Chief Justice Richard Ground agreed to a request from Director of Public Prosecutions Rory Field that these lie on file, not to be proceeded with at this time.

The maximum sentence that can be imposed for sexual exploitation and for unlawful carnal knowledge is 20 years. The maximum for making child pornography is ten years, while there is a five-year maximum for accessing child pornography.

Defence lawyer Mark Pettingill requested that a Social Inquiry Report and psychological report be completed on Martin. The case will come before the court again on October 1 when a date for the sentencing hearing is likely to be set.

In another sex case yesterday, 26-year-old Andre Castle pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in St. George's on August 12 2007. He denied robbing the woman of her BlackBerry cell phone and her purse, and this matter will lie on file, not to be proceeded with at this time.

Castle is already in custody for another sexual assault committed in St. George's. The Royal Gazette reported in July how a Magistrate jailed him for nine months for grabbing a woman's breast in the street last December 12. He was arrested shortly afterwards. The Chief Justice ordered a Social Inquiry Report and psychological report on Castle in relation to the 2007 matter.

In another matter, Kevin Fox, 24, from Pembroke, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Leigh Thurston on May 2 this year. Mr. Thurston, who was aged 27 at the time, suffered a broken jaw during an early-hours street assault.

Defence lawyer Mark Pettingill requested bail, which was granted by the Chief Justice. However, he warned Fox that he could still be sent to prison when he is sentenced. Reports were ordered.

In another case yesterday, three teenagers pleaded not guilty to committing an aggravated burglary and serious assault while armed with a firearm, knife and bottle. Troy Burgess, 21, Detre Ford, 16, and Clarke Fox, 17, are alleged to have stolen goods totalling $13,600 in value during the aggravated burglary in Curving Avenue, Pembroke, on June 17 this year. Prosecutors say they were armed with a firearm, knife and bottle at the time of the incident. In addition, they are alleged to have wounded Jahdean Gibbons during the incident, and to have conspired with others to carry a firearm with criminal intent.

Burgess alone faces a further charge of carrying a firearm or imitation firearm with the intent to commit the crime.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also facing charges over the same matter, and is due to go on trial at Youth Court on November 18.

Marco Perinchief, aged 26, of Sandys, pleaded guilty to importing cocaine and cannabis on April 1 this year. Prosecutor Mr. Field indicated that he will be asking for a prison sentence, but the Chief Justice agreed to a request from defence lawyer Kenneth Savoury for Perinchief to be bailed in the meantime.

Tyshaon Rawlins, aged 24, of Southampton, pleaded not guilty to importing cannabis on June 2 2009 and possessing it with intent to supply. His trial was listed to begin on October 26 and he was bailed.

Neville Woods, aged 41, of Tommy Fox Lane in St. David's, denied burgling two homes near to the street where he leaves. He is alleged to have stolen jewellery, shoes and money from a residence in Tranquility Lane on May 20 this year and jewellery from a residence in Chapel of Ease Road on the same date.

His trial is due to begin on November 3.

All the other matters will come back to court for administrative hearings at the October 1 arraignments session unless otherwise stated.