A young man who had sex with and impregnated two consecutive 14-year-old girlfriends, when he was 18 and 19 years old, has faced court over what a judge has called "serious" sexual crimes.
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He appeared at Wodonga County Court on Thursday morning, but then failed to return after the court took a break and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The now 20-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded guilty to two charges of the intentional penetration of a child aged under 16.
Crown prosecutor Andrew Moore told the court the young man knew the first victim was 14 when they were in a relationship for two months in 2017.
In his victim impact statement, the girl's father said "it's heartbreaking knowing an adult has intruded on your baby girl".
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The second girl was in a relationship with the young man for a few months during 2018, before and after her 15th birthday.
Their sexual encounters occurred at the girl's and friends' houses, and at a motel.
One girl chose to terminate her pregnancy, while the other gave birth to a son.
The 20-year-old man will be placed on the sex offender registry for life.
His defence barrister Shane Kennedy said his client needed an in-depth neurological evaluation, as he had been diagnosed with autism and multiple sclerosis as a child.
"At his age, the prime consideration is rehabilitation," he said.
Judge Greg Lyon said he wanted more information about the man's current community corrections order, imposed in February for the theft of a motor vehicle.
"I'm not convinced a period in custody is going to do him any good at all, but it is serious offending," he said.
The 20-year-old's case will return to court after his arrest.
