Teenager cleared of three rapes

Guilty pleas to two assaults

A 17-year-old Ayr boy has been cleared of three counts of rape.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced charges of rape at addresses across the town last year.

The alleged offences claimed the boy raped girls under the age of 16.

But all three charges – one allegedly occurring at a cemetery in Ayrshire – were written off.

However, the teenager appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last Tuesday morning having pled guilty to two assaults, including punching a boy on the head at a skatepark in Ayrshire.

Lawyer Peter Lockhart told Sheriff Desmond Leslie that his client had been facing very serious charges of rape and underage sex in the High Court, and after a four-day trial had been acquitted.

Mr Lockhart went on to explain that in particular the High Court jury had taken less than an hour to acquit him of all the rape allegations.

He was, however, found guilty of two charges of underage sex which at a previous hearing he had pled guilty to.

The judge Lord Clyde told the youth these were still serious charges which could warrant a jail term.

However, the judge was prepared to continue bail and call for a background report.

The youth has to return to the High Court in Glasgow on October 15.

Mr Lockhart explained to Sheriff Leslie that the Sheriff Court offences all predated the High Court charges and that as such, the youth had been of good behaviour in terms of the Ayr Sheriff Court order.

Sheriff Leslie admonished the teen on the Ayr Sheriff Court charges.

Hewasfoundguiltyoftwochargesofunderagesex