Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a statement after a man pleaded guilty to the rape of a 10-year-old girl in Exmouth at Bristol Crown Court today.

Two trials have taken place into the violent assault of a 10-year-old girl on Thursday, October 4 2018, in the Marley Road area of Exmouth.

In the first trial, held in Bristol last March, the jury found the suspect not guilty to the charge of attempted murder but were unable to reach a majority decision in relation to the charge of rape.

Today (July 22) is the first day of the retrial. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said:

"Many of you are aware of the violent assault on a 10-year-old girl that took place on Thursday, October 4 2018, in the Marley Road area of Exmouth.

"Following a full police investigation, the suspect who was 16 years of age at the time of the offence and cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged in connection to this incident; he pled guilty to lesser charges of to strangle or choke with intent to sexually assault, and digital penetration of a child under-13.

"A trial was held in Bristol last March in relation to the more serious charges of attempted murder, rape, and choking with intention to commit rape took place.

"The jury found the suspect not guilty to the charge of attempted murder, but were unable to reach a majority decision in relation to the charge of rape, and choking with intention to commit rape.

"Today (22 July) was the first day of the retrial in relation to the charge of rape; this morning the suspect pled guilty to this charge.

"He will therefore remain in custody and will be sentenced for this matter plus the offence of strangle or choke with intent, at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday 7 November 2019.

"We remind the public that the victim has anonymity for life and should not be named, and neither should the suspect who remains under 18 years of age; these rules are not solely for media organisations to adhere to, they also apply to everyone of us, and includes all information posted via social media.

"We will issue a full statement once sentencing has taken place in November."