Teenager Jake Ormerod, who has been charged in connection with child abuse involving secondary school pupils in the Torbay area of Devon, shouted 'I love you mum' when he appeared in the dock today.
Ormerod was in Exeter Crown Court after Devon and Cornwall Police yesterday arrested the 19-year-old from Torquay.
Detective Inspector Simon Snell yesterday explained their inquiry might involve 20 or more victims, mainly girls aged 12 and above.
Today Ormerod, wearing a red Adidas hooded top shouted out in court: 'I love you mum'.
She replied: 'I love you too.'
Outside the court afterwards, Janet Hoddy, 52, said: 'I'm just worried sick. There's no way my son could do any harm.
'He wouldn't take advantage of a young girl, he's in the process of getting back with his girlfriend.
'He is there for me all the time. I'm disabled and he lives with me and does all my washing and shopping.'
The teenager, of Babbacombe Road, Torquay, is due to appear before the same court on May 27 for a plea and directions hearing.
He has been remanded into custody by Judge Jeremy Griggs, who said he will hear a full bail application in one week's time.
He faces two charges under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 of engaging or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.
Detectives are investigating whether the allegations are linked to social networking sites like Facebook and Bebo.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/855925-teen-jake-ormerod-remanded-on-child-abuse-charges-shouts-i-love-you-mum#ixzz1EQIjArwv
