A boy of 14 today pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting five women.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced at a later date.

The sex attacks took place in an area close to Manchester University between September 21 and October 5.

The boy appeared in a youth court at Manchester magistrates court this morning and entered guilty pleas to five counts of sexual abuse of a woman aged over 16.

The charges relate to five different women.

The boy was remanded on bail with strict conditions.

The case was adjourned for a sentencing hearing on December 2.

Police said today that an 18-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of sexual assault has been released on police bail pending further investigations

Det Chief Insp Colin Larkin said today: “I am extremely grateful to the public for all the calls we received this weekend after putting an appeal out for information in connection with these incidents.

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault or any other kind of sexual crime, can call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.”