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AN 18-year-old man from Sale walked free from court after he raped a 12-year-old girl and engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to having consensual sex with both his victims and was told he must attend a community rehabilitation order for three years.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester heard that he had sex with both victims within days of each other and even used his experience with the first girl as a way to persuade the other.

Prosecuting Mr Alaric Bassano said: "The defendant is charged on the indictment with count one, the rape of a child under the age of 13 and count two engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Mr Bassano explained that the complainant in count one was 12-years-old at the time and that the defendant's second victim had been 13 and a half when he had sexual intercourse with her so the charge was the lesser offence of sexual activity with a child.

Defending Mr Rick Holland said: "Although the defendant is 18-years-old he is obviously a very immature 18-year-old who has had his fair share of educational difficulties throughout the years.

"He is ill-equipped to serve a custodial sentence. It seems that the area the defendant lives is an area where indulging in under age sex seems to have been largely accepted.

"He appreciates now that what he did was wrong. Temptation got the better of him. These were both short lived acts of intercourse.

"It has been a lesson for him and he has been very distressed by the matter. He made an attempt in 2007 to cut his wrists. He is particularly worried about the prospect of a custodial sentence."

Sentencing Judge Lakin said: "I have given your case very careful thought. In October and November 2006 you had unprotected sex with two under age girls.

"One was 12 approaching 13 and the other was 13. Whilst both girls consented to what happened it is quite clear from all the evidence that you pushed them into it.

"Fortunately neither of the girls became pregnant and fortunately neither girl has suffered any lasting pyschological damage. You must understand that what you did cannot and will not be tolerated.

"At the time this offence occured you were 16. You were and are immature for your age. In my judgement you do not pose a significant risk of serious harm and it would not therefore be appropriate to classify you as a dangerous offender.

"I accept that you would be particularly vulnerable in custody and in short custody would not in my judgement benefit anyone. For this reason I have decided not to send you into custody."

On March 25 Judge Lakin ordered the 18-year-old to attend a community rehabilitation order for three years and put him under a curfew order for six months.

Send your comments on this case to editorial@messengernewspapers.co.uk

i find the sentence given to this indervidual disgusting and makes u feel sick nowing that rape is a lesser sentence than most crimes no matter how old or imature this person new what he was doing was wrong and what next all peole comiiting under age sex claim the same reason thers to many cases in this country where rape gets such a leient sentence if it was my child he touch i for one would kill him seriuouse crime needs seroiouse sentences to many do gooders making excuses tough he was worried about prison he probaly new what happens to peole like him in side if u committ the crime do the time id love to no how many parents agree this ???? should be locked up and anyone else like him

10:22am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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