Teenager locked up for raping four boys

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A TEENAGER has been locked up for more than eight years for the sexual abuse of five boys.

The 15-year-old boy, from Calderdale, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court following a complex police investigation.

In February, a jury found the teenager guilty of 12 rape offences against four boys aged 13 and under as well as three further sexual offences.

The court heard the defendant himself was only aged between 11 and just over 13 when he committed the crimes.

Prosecutor Peter Hampton summarised victim impact statements from the boys’ parents and one of the youngsters himself and they revealed the severe psychological impact the abuse had had on them.

One mum reported how her son suffered flashbacks and no longer wanted to be cuddled, while another boy’s dad said he felt “broken” when his son disclosed what had happened to him.

One of the rape victims also said he had suffered flashbacks and problems with sleeping.

Judge Jonathan Rose heard that the defendant, who cannot be named because of his age, still maintained his denials of the offending despite the jury’s verdicts.

The judge explained that the starting point for sentence for similar offending by an adult would have been 20 years imprisonment, but he had to take account of the boy’s age at the time as well his personal circumstances and intellectual abilities.

The court heard the teenager had a troubled upbringing and had seen the viewing of pornography as commonplace.

Judge Rose said he was satisfied that the teenager had taken steps to intimidate his victims to prevent them reporting what had happened or seeking assistance.

He accepted that the teenager had a difficult childhood, but added: “You knew from the outset that what you were doing was wrong and unlawful and realised the harm, distress and physical pain you were causing.”

The judge sentenced the teenager to eight years and three months detention and also imposed an indefinite restraining order which bans him from contacting any of the complainants or going within a specific area.

The teenager will also have to register as a sex offender with the police following his release.

After passing sentence Judge Rose addressed some of the parents of the complainants and conceded that whatever sentence he had imposed it would not take away their suffering.