A PENRITH man has admitted repeatedly raping a child.

Simon Peter Turnbull, 44, of Fairhill Road, Penrith, who appeared before a judge at Carlisle Crown Court, pleaded guilty to two charges: one a child rape on July 31, 2018; and a second "multiple incident" charge, which specified that he raped the same child on at least four occasions other than in the first count.

He committed those offences between January 1 and July 31.

Prosecutor Tim Evans told Judge Peter Davies that while the victim's family want the case to be resolved as quickly as possible they are keen for the court to have all the information that is needed for sentenced to be passed.

Judge Davies said the sentencing process must look at the harm done by the defendant.

Turnbull's defence lawyer Mark Shepherd acknowledged that the defendant's name must now go on to the Sex Offenders' Register.

After he set the sentencing day for January 11, Judge Davies turned to the girl's family in the public gallery and told them: "Very often in these cases, victims and victim's families, say to themselves 'What else could they have done to stop all this from happening.?' 'I feel guilty about it' and things like that. Don't feel guilty about it.

"This is not your fault, do you understand?

"There is only one person who is to blame and he has pleaded guilty."

The judge remanded Turnbull in custody. Turnbull spoke during the hearing only to confirm his name, date of birth, and nationality.