A Dutch former international beach volleyball player has appeared in court in England in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Steven van de Velde,  21, travelled to England in August 2014 to meet the girl after meeting her on Facebook, according to a British police statement.

The statement said Van der Velde pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a child in court on Monday. In British law, having sex with a minor is classed as rape, even if the girl consented.

Extradition

Van de Velde was extradited to England to face the charges on January 8. The court will pass sentence on March 21.

Last August, Van de Velde and Direk Boehle took the Dutch beach volleyball title. The duo also took part in last year’s world championships in the Netherlands.

Boehle has since ended the partnership, saying he is deeply shocked by the charges. ‘I have had no contact with him in months,’ Boehle said on his Facebook page.