15 Year Old Jailed for Sex Attack in Burnley

From The Burnley Citizen:

A 15-year-old boy who carried out a “nasty and unpleasant” sex attack has been sentenced to two years’ detention.

The boy dragged the woman, who was working as a prostitute, down an alleyway off Colne Road, Burnley, and told her he had a knife and would use it.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was trapped by his DNA after spitting on the ground, Preston Crown Court heard.

He attacked the woman after approaching her and asking if she would perform a sex act on him.

She asked if he had money and started to walk away when he offered to pay by cheque.

The boy had denied sexual assault, but was convicted of the January 26 attack by a jury following a trial.

The victim was a drug addict who occasionally funded her addiction through prostitution, the court heard.

Ayaz Qazi, defending, said the boy was clearly undergoing considerable personal difficulties and had special educational needs.

“He is somebody who is clearly lacking the sort of care and attention a young man of his age would ordinarily expect.

“He doesn’t accept his responsibility for his actions and I cannot change that position. I accept it was a serious offence.”

The youth will be on the sex offenders register for five years.