Park attackers to serve six years

Two teenage boys who subjected a woman to a knife-point robbery and sex attack in a park have been ordered to serve six years in a juvenile justice centre.

The pair - who were both 13 when they attacked their victim in Woodvale Park, Belfast, two years ago - will remain in detention until the are 18.

Both admitted robbery and wounding with intent, while one admitted indecent assault and the other attempted rape.

They were also put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

Judge Mr Justice Gillen said but for their ages at the time the sentences "would have been far greater."

He also paid tribute to the "enormous courage" of the victim.

The court heard how the young defendants - who cannot be named due to their age - approached the woman as she walked through the park on the evening of 4 December, 2006.

The judge said he accepted that both boys had troubled family backgrounds and he accepted both teenagers had displayed progress whilst detained since the offence.

He recommended they be detained at the juvenile justice centre until the age of 18 "and thereafter they be discharged on licence".