A LLANGOLMAN man was told today, June 3, he would go to jail after he admitted grooming four underage girls for sex.

Joseph Robert Foster, 21, went on to indulge in sexual activity with three of them, including sexual intercourse with one of them.

Foster appeared before Judge Peter Heywood at Swansea Crown Court today for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

He admitted three offences of meeting 15-year-old girls following sexual grooming, and three of taking part in sexual activities with them, between June 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014.

Foster also admitted meeting a fourth girl of the same age following sexual grooming.

Judge Heywood said that, in his view, the offending attracted a custodial sentence.

But he adjourned sentencing until later this month to allow time for a probation officer to prepare a report into his background.

He granted Foster bail meanwhile but warned him: “I want you to understand that the only issue is the length of the prison sentence. These are serious matters.”

Foster was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender immediately.

Judge Heywood criticised Dyfed Powys police for the time it had taken to bring the case to the crown court.

“It is not acceptable. There has been a delay of the best part of sixteen to eighteen months getting this to the crown court.

“Sexual allegations need to proceed at a faster pace. I don’t know if it is a question of resources.”

Kevin Jones, the barrister prosecuting the case, said his comments would be “taken back” to the police.