NORWICH – A Norwich man admitted in Chenango County Court on Monday that he had sexual relations with an underage girl.

In a prearranged plea, Howard T. Dowling, 28, formerly of 33 Mechanic St., pleaded guilty to rape in the third degree. Dowling admitted having sexual relations with a female under 17 years of age, from March 10-25.

County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan sentenced Dowling to one year in the Chenango County Correctional Facility, saying that because Dowling is due to serve federal time for a bank robbery, the length of the county sentence was immaterial.

“My motivation with regard to this disposition is that you are going to serve the same amount of time regardless,” the judge said.