Readers may well remember back in the summer there was an incident involving the attempted abduction of a child in Brownhills. The case has now been before the courts.

Yesterday, West Midlands Police issued a statement.

I post it in full below for information only.

Teen guilty of attempted child snatch

Mark Adams caught on CCTV moments before the crime. Photo from West Midlands Police.

A TEENAGER has pleaded guilty to attempting to kidnap a schoolgirl as she made her way home from a friend’s house. 

Unemployed Mark Adams, of Shannon Drive in Brownhills, attacked the girl after drinking all day at a local pub.

The 19-year-old had left the Shoulder of Mutton pub after drinking eight pints of lager and came across the 11-year-old child as she walked home from Holland Park at around 7.45pm on Saturday 20 July.

The youngster had crossed over the A452 Chester Road and cut between two blocks of low-rise flats when Adams, who she had earlier spotted walking towards the Hussey pub, suddenly appeared behind her and said hello to her.

But in a sinister twist, Adams followed her and put his arm around her before pulling and grabbing at her.

Terrified, the child tried to break free but Adams was too strong. After a brief struggle, the girl wriggled out of her jacket and ran off home where her parents called police at 8.30pm.

A major investigation was launched and three days later detectives from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit released CCTV footage of the incident in a bid to identify the girl’s attacker.

Less than 24 hours later, Adams contacted police to say he was the man in the images but when questioned tried to blame his actions on being drunk and claimed he couldn’t remember the attack. 

Adams was charged with attempted child abduction and remanded in custody. He yesterday (Thursday 19 December) admitted the charge at Wolverhampton Crown Court and will be sentenced on 10 January. 

Detective Inspector Annie O’Grady, led the investigation. She said: ‘This was a harrowing ordeal for the girl and she continues to come to terms with what happened that night. 

‘I welcome Adams’ guilty plea as it will save his young victim the trauma of having to give evidence in court.’