13-year-old admits sexual assault on younger boy

The assault happened in March last year.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said the victim told police that the older boy took off his own clothes, then proceeded to “pull off” his before pushing and assaulting him.

He said the victim “knew what was happening was wrong” and told the defendant, who “smirked” at him to stop, but he did not. Days later he told his mother what had happened and it was reported to the police. The victim told officers that the defendant had told him “not to tell anyone”.

Mr Searle told the court that the victim had been referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health team for support. He added that his family felt he had been violated and his innocence taken away.

Mitigating, Miss Sarah Cooper said the defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had written a letter of apology to the court about his behaviour.

She said he needed “therapeutic treatment” for his issues. The teenager admitted an offence of sexual assault at a previous hearing.

Judge Peter Barrie sentenced him to a Youth Rehabilitation Order for two years with supervision, he must live at a specialist local authority centre for at least six months, undertake a 12-month programme. And he was made subject to a restraining order for five years and must keep out of Bridgnorth and a neighbouring village indefinitely. He was also ordered to pay £15 victims’ surcharge.