PC Luke Christopher Horner has admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a girl, 13 (Picture; Northamptonshire Police)

A police officer had admitted to having penetrative sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl.

PC Luke Christopher Horner, of Thames Valley Police (TVP), met his victim in Rushden, Northamptonshire whilst he was off duty on June 11.

The 24-year-old only spoke to confirm his identity at Northampton Crown court.

Charges against Horner were brought by Northamptonshire Police, but TVP has suspended him from duty and has launched a separate misconduct investigation.

The force has also referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

A second count of making an indecent image of a child was removed from the indictment.

But prosecutor Ben Gow claimed this offence formed part of the sexual activity, as Horner filmed his victim on her own phone.

He said: ‘I understand that the pleas are entered on the basis he did record [the sexual activity] and the phone was in his hand.

Charges against Horner were brought by Northamptonshire Police (Picture: PA)

‘The phone was not his phone, it was belonging to the child in question.

‘It can be seen in his hand in the video.

‘We regard this as one of the culpability features of the offence in question.’

Judge Rebecca Crane remanded Horner into further custody until sentencing at the same court on September 8.

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He met his victim when he was off duty in June.