Morning:
14°c
Nine boys face jail for gang rape of girl, 14
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent10.11.08
NINE schoolboy rapists face years behind bars for carrying out a punishment attack on a 14-year-old girl.
The boys were aged as young as 13 when they gang-raped their victim, who was snatched from the street before being marched to a flat in Hackney on 30 April last year.
One 16-year-old ordered she should be put through the ordeal for allegedly insulting their leader's girlfriend, Snaresbrook crown court was told.
The terrified victim was then led to another address nearby, where the nine youths raped her. One of them told the girl, now aged 16: "I can't help you now, I'm with my boys."
Six of the teenagers were today found guilty of every charge they faced - 13 counts of rape, kidnap and false imprisonment. Three others pleaded guilty to rape, kidnap and false imprisonment before the six-week trial. An order prohibits publishing their identities.
Following the verdicts, at least three defendants stormed from the dock.
After ordering them to return, Judge Wendy Joseph QC said: "You have each been convicted of a terrible series of crimes and the only sentence I can pass will be one of custody. In the meantime you will remain in custody." Judge Joseph ordered pre-sentence reports.
Reader views (8)
We obviously have a real problem with our society and worse it will get unless something is done. The media is also very much to blame, because they celebrate and promote the chav / yob culture by celebratin all these so called 'celebs' who are setting such a bad example to today's young people.
The government is also equally to blame for allowing the courts to be so lenient in terms of the punishment. The law seems to be more concerned with the rights of the criminal and not the rights of the victims.
- Ade, Milford Haven
I do hope there are ways and means of looking at the parents and families of these males - something has gone very seriously wrong in their upbringing.
- Carole, Brighton, UK
The question needs to be asked , who did thay get there ideas from that rape is a form of punishment,what sort of culture has filled there heads with such nonsense? the perpetrators of this vile sexually perverted crime should get a life sentence if for no other reason than to send a clear message that this is totally unacceptable
- Kev, London
Perhaps in prison they will enjoy a similar experience.
- Frank H., London.
I realise that there will be those who would refuse to give up on these children, who believe that they are not monsters beyond redemption. Rather that they are damaged young people shaped by an uncaring society which has ignored and marginalised them. Who, with the right help and counselling, could go on to lead productive lives and make amends for this vile act.
I say lock them up and throw away they key. Let them die in prison and act an object lesson to the brutal lawless scum they have left behind to blight society.
- Gary, London
I am embarrassed of being a human being... Where does this scum come from?!
- Maria, Harrow
will it be another group from a broken home, who will be assisted there own social worker and every possible support on offer.
- He_Lent @Hotmail.Co.Uk, london england
This is sick.... Totally sick. Lock them up and throw away the key
- Jason Grant, Northants
