A MAN guilty of historic child sex offences has been warned by a judge he faces an "almost inevitable and substantial" prison term.

Christopher Noel Poole, 55, was also told he must sign the sex offenders' register with immediate effect having admitted a string of crimes against a youngster which date back to the 1990s.

Poole, of Whinfield Road, Windermere, pleaded guilty to five indecent assault charges when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today.

Each is said to relate to the same young victim.

The court heard Poole was a man of previous good character. His lawyer, James Heyworth, asked for sentencing to be postponed to allow detailed background reports to be prepared.

One will be produced by the probation service while another, the court heard, will address "mental health concerns".

Recorder Julie Clemitson adjourned the case to February 23. Poole is due to be sentenced at the crown court on that date.

He was granted conditional bail. But Recorder Clemitson told Poole he must prepare for an "almost inevitable and substantial custodial sentence".