Youth locked up for raping boy, 8

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The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also sexually assaulted a 10-year-old boy and attempted to abduct a nine-year-old girl with the intention of having sex with her, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Richard Button, defending, told the court the defendant suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a condition similar to autism which means he has difficulty understanding other people's emotions.

He said: "The symptoms are dislike of change, a preoccupation with patterns.

"In his case they are his preoccupation with farm machinery. Further symptoms he had are his interpersonal skills and, perhaps most importantly, an inability to see things from another's viewpoint.

"It is those symptoms, coupled with his sexual urges, that led to these offences."

The judge, Mr Justice Irwin, told the defendant he was "at significant risk of re-offending" and was being locked up for the protection of the public.

He said: "I find that you do represent such a risk. Time, care and treatment may reduce or abolish that risk but it is certainly present now.

"The impact of this offending on all three victims is considerable. One hopes they and their families will get the support they need and they will be able to recover."

Mr Justice Irwin ordered that the teenager, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to the charges of rape, sexual assault and attempted abduction, would be eligible to apply for parole after serving six years, but only if he was considered safe to be released.