A GIRL attempted to take her own life after being raped and sexually assaulted by a south Cumbrian teenager, a court heard.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty of rape and two counts of sexual assault in Barrow by a district judge.

He appeared for sentencing at the Sessions House at Preston Crown Court on September 9.

Sentencing the defendant to a 30-month youth rehabilitation order, His Honour Judge Graham Knowles KC told the boy: “These are very, very serious crimes. You knew what you did was wrong.

“She will live with the damage of what you did for the rest of her life. I do not think you understood that. I do not think you saw how much harm you would do.

 “The crimes you committed have had a catastrophic effect on her. She was a wholly innocent victim.  

“My decision is not based in anyway to understand just how dreadful the experience was for her. If you were an adult, I would send you to prison for years.”

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Prosecutor Gavin Howie said the boy was 14 years old when he committed the offences.

The court heard the youth – now 17 - tried to hug and kiss the girl before he committed the offences.

Mr Howie said the defendant was arrested after the victim told her mother about the offences.

Representing the youth, defence barrister David Trainor said the incident lasted no longer than 30 minutes.

Giving submissions in court, Mr Trainor told the court: “He has had a tumultuous childhood and an unstable upbringing which is plain to see in this case.

“His complex issues in his childhood must be taken into account.

“It is possible that he would not have had the same understanding of sexual education other children his age may have had.

“An immediate custodial sentence is likely to have more of a significant impact on him than others his age.

“In my submission, a youth rehabilitation order would ensure proper work is done with him. This would not be considered to be a light touch.”

Judge Knowles KC deliberated for over 90 minutes before passing sentence.

When sentencing the boy, he told the court: “I have read her victim impact statement which makes for distressing and powerful reading. 

“You have had an exceedingly distressing life history. He has little sexual education in a formal or informal sense. What he understands is largely from pornography, social media and his peer group. It is distorted.

“He is an unusual person to come through the crown court at his age. It seems to me in short that he is polite and has many positives.

"He is not someone who is set on antisocial behaviour or a criminal life. Had I sent him to custody, the consequences for him would have been severe.

“It is not about blame now, it is about the future. Nobody wants a future in prison. Take this help which is on offer.”

As part of the youth rehabilitation order, the boy was required to complete a six-month curfew between the hours of 8pm – 7am, as well as a requirement of completing 25 programme days.

He also received a five-year restraining order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 30 months.

At a previous hearing, The Mail offered legal submissions in an attempt to lift the Section 45 reporting restrictions imposed by Judge Knowles KC by arguing that it would be in the public’s interest for the media to be able to identify the defendant.

Judge Knowles said the debate was ‘fairly evenly balanced’ but sided with the defence who argued that reporting the boy’s name would have a greater impact on his welfare.