Motorists drove by as schoolboy was sexually assaulted in Northampton

The teenage boy who attacked him, who cannot be named, was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court for the “frightening” ordeal last week.

It happened in November 2015, as the younger victim was walking in Northampton when he was approached by the defendant.

The victim was asked if he had a girlfriend and if he was gay. When the victim said no, the other boy tried to explain to him something he described as being “gay for a week”, adding that “sex with men doesn’t make you gay”, the court heard.

The teenager then tried twice to take the victim’s hand and put it on his crotch. When the younger boy tried to run, his attacker grabbed the back of his neck and threatened to strangle and “kill him” if he didn’t do what he said.

The prosecutor said: “[At one point], he grabbed the boy by the shoulder. He tried shouting at passing cars for help, but none of them stopped.”

The victim was able to reach home, where a neighbour came out to help him. He reportedly “could not stop crying”.

His attacker later pleaded guilty to sexual assault at the earliest opportunity. Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking said a detention centre was not appropriate and instead imposed a 24-month rehabilitation order. “He has a very realistic chance of rehabilitation,” she said.