Boy (15) who repeatedly raped and sexually abused young girl spared custodial sentence

A 15-year-old boy from Rotherham who repeatedly raped a young girl has been spared a spell in youth detention — but must sign the sex offenders’ register for two-and-a-half years.

The young sex attacker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted four sexual offences when he appeared before Sheffield Youth Court.

He was not made subject to any form of custodial sentence or detention - instead being handed a 12-month referral order, which requires him to work with a youth offenders panel.

The teenager admitted one count of raping the primary school-aged girl - a charge which court documents say involved at least two occasions.

He also pleaded guilty to one count each of assault by penetration, sexual touching and causing a girl under the age of 13, to engage in sexual activity.

Each was described as a "multi-incident charge", meaning it involved at least two occasions.

Court documents stated that the two latter offences included the boy performing a sex act on the young girl and causing her to do to the same to him.

The young defendant was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £21.

Referral orders can include reparation or restitution to the victim and/or undertaking a programme of interventions and activities

to address offending behaviour.