Repeat Juvenile offender - The consequences of Wrist-Slapping

A teenager who kidnapped and raped a five-year-old boy, eight days after avoiding custody for another rape, has been detained for at least three years.

The 16-year-old pleaded guilty to charges including rape and child abduction against the boy.
Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard the attack happened after he was given a community order for the rape of a boy, aged seven, in Tameside.

The first sentence, by Judge Adrian Smith, provoked a legal challenge.

On Wednesday, the attacker, who cannot be named, was given an indeterminate sentence for protection of the public after committing a second attack.

He must serve a minimum of three years before being considered for parole. Judge Peter Lakin told him:

"The offences you have committed are deeply disturbing and very serious.

"You are a devious and manipulative young man with an unhealthy and completely unacceptable sexual interest in young boys.

"It is likely you will not be released for some very considerable period of time."

The second rape case was heard at Minshull Street Crown Court. The judge said the attacker had lured the boy to his home and had "cynically" taken advantage of him. He said:

"You took away his innocence. What you did has had a devastating effect upon the boy and his family."

He added that it was "highly unusual" for a court to categorise a 16-year-old as a danger to the public but in this case it was merited.

"I have to say I have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in reaching the conclusion that you are indeed a dangerous offender."

The boy was sentenced to three years and four months, but with time already spent in custody taken into consideration he will serve a minimum of two years and 359 days before he is assessed for parole.

Judge Larkin also revoked the community rehabilitation order passed by Judge Adrian Smith and resentenced him for the earlier rape offences against the seven-year-old. He was sentenced to three years and four months to run concurrently.

He was also banned from working with children and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

When being sentenced for the first rape, Judge Smith is believed to have considered the victim's family, who forgave the youth because of their Christian beliefs. But the three-year community order sparked an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte