Teenager gets detention for rape

A teenager who raped a 12-year-old girl at the Appleby Horse Fair has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years detention.

The 14-year-old schoolboy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was also placed on the sex offender's register indefinitely.

Preston Crown Court heard on Friday how the boy, who is from Hampshire, travelled to Appleby with his family for the annual horse fair.

He attacked his victim after talking to her and inviting her for a walk on 7 June.

Guilty plea

The court heard they went along a path alongside the river in Appleby, but stopped at a secluded spot, where the girl was forced to the ground and raped.

The boy was arrested in the town later that night.

He initially denied the offence but later pleaded guilty to rape.

Passing sentence, the judge told the boy he had been aware that his victim did not want to be treated in such a way.