A 14-year-old boy from Brighton has been sentenced for raping a 14-year-old girl when she stayed at his house for a sleepover.
The boy, who was 13 when the offence took place, was sentenced to a two-year youth rehabilitation order under the supervision of the youth offending team.
He was also made subject to an 18-month educational requirement, until June next year, an activity requirement of 90 hours reparation work in the community and a two-and-a-half-year “notification order”.
The boy was sentenced by District Judge Tessa Szagun at Brighton Youth Court yesterday (Monday 22 January), having been found guilty after a trial in November.
The teenager denies raping his former friend at an address in Brighton in June 2016.
He told the Court that she had made it up because he didn’t fancy her and spurned when she came on to him.
District Judge Tessa Szagun said: “I’m mindful nothing I do will ease the profound trauma of the victim but I hope she will in time draw strength from the verdict in this trial.”
Detective Constable Leon Ryan, of the Brighton Safeguarding Investigation Unit, said: “The boy had become friends with the girl over a period of time but on this occasion took advantage of her natural vulnerability to commit this very serious offence.
“We are keen to help young people avoid becoming involved with the criminal justice system wherever possible but it is still important that we take seriously and investigate reports of crime, especially those against young and vulnerable people.
“If you have been the victim of such offending or if you think it has happened to someone you know, you can contact us at any time by calling 101, or online at https://sussex.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/ and arrange to talk in confidence to experienced investigators.
“You can also access a range of other expert advice and support services online.”
Poor boy. Love to him and his family. Such a terrible thing to happen. Keep strong x
Poor boy? What about the girl? Hopefully it is not too late to do something about this boy’s sexual offending. Hopefully the girl also gets the help she needs in order to work through this life altering and traumatic event.
Jackie – your comment poor boy, an attempt at sarcasm ? Seriously !
The boy should have known even at 13 , when a girl woman boy man says no . Then it’s a no ..whatever age he should have know better .
Always disappointed to see comments open on news articles like this – there’s no public gain and always so much potential further pain caused to the victims of the crime from vile/disrespectful/insensitive comments. I hope for better in future from Brighton & Hove News.