A former city mayor has admitted raping a four-year-old girl but claimed the victim was a "willing participant".The Youngstown Vindicator reports that, Richard Keenan, who has described himself in the past as a "dedicated" Christian, is facing multiple counts of rape and attempted rape of a child.
The case has shocked the small city of Hubbard in Ohio, United States, where Keenan served as mayor in 2010 and 2011.
Confessing to his crimes, Keenan said the abuse took place over a three-year-period but claimed the victim "initiated" sex,
He also spoke of the abuse during group discussions at a hospital, and later checked himself into a psychiatric clinic because he was suicidal.
He is due to stand trial in April next year.
