A 20-year-old Sandys Parish man has been fined after pleading guilty to touching a young girl's body.

Colin S. Bean of Patience Lane, was fined $750 after he admitted that between March 15 and June 12 this year he was involved with a 13-year-old girl who "lied about her age when we met''.

Prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne told the court that in December, 1994, the two began communicating by telephone and in March, 1995, they met in person without consent and began kissing and hugging.

"When they met another time on a hotel beach in Devonshire, the girl's father confronted Bean. Bean told him he was only 17,'' Sgt. Osborne said.

He added that when the girl's father learned Bean's real age he contacted him and said he was to have no further communication with his daughter.

However, Bean continued to see the young girl and on June 12 they met at Devonshire Bay where they "kissed and rubbed their bodies against each other''.

When asked by Acting Magistrate the Wor. Kim White if he had anything to say, Bean replied: "When I started seeing her I was not aware of her age and she lied to me about it. Her father never said I couldn't see her again. He just said that we could only be friends. I am sorry the matter had to come this far.'' Bean added that his relationship with the girl was never sexual.

Mr. White said: "This is a serious matter involving a young girl who you knew at some point was a minor, and we have a duty to protect minors from themselves.''