Thursday 30 June 2022 10:45 AM Boy who raped girl, 14, is spared jail and allowed to live just 120 METRES from ... trends now
The parents of a girl who was raped by a 13-year-old boy have told of their outrage after he was spared a custodial sentence and allowed to carry on living just 120m from their home.
The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were told by police that steps could only be taken to force the boy to move if he lived within 100m of them.
But due to him living with his parents only 20m further away, the family have been forced to run the risk of bumping into him.
The couple's daughter was dragged into an alleyway and raped by the youth as she walked home from a party when she was aged 14 on the night of October 10 last year.
The boy who also cannot be identified was quickly arrested as the girl recognised him and knew where he lived in Harlow, Essex.
He admitted her rape and sex assaults on five other girls when he first appeared before Chelmsford magistrates on January 10.
But he was bailed to return to his family home, despite objections from police and prosecutors, as he apparently had no other relatives he could move in with outside the area.
The parents of a girl who was raped by a 13-year-old boy have told of their outrage after he was spared a custodial sentence and allowed to carry on living just 120m from their home
His victim has suffered panic attacks, due in part to repeatedly seeing him around in her neighbourhood.
Her heightened anxiety has also led to her falling behind with her schoolwork.
She had hoped to get some respite if he was given a period of detention, but her hopes were dashed when he received a three year Youth Rehabilitation Order at Chelmsford Crown Court last Thursday.
The boy also ordered to wear a tag, putting him under a night time curfew at his family home for six months.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the mother of the girl said: 'It is atrocious that he has been able to carry on living so close to our house.
'Our daughter has seen him a number of times since he raped her. It triggers her anxiety having him so nearby.
'She has already had to change the route she walks to school to avoid passing his house – but she never knows when she is going to see him again.
'He and his parents are in rented accommodation and they could easily leave. The police even suggested to them that they did, but they will not move.
'My daughter will not go out by herself now and hates seeing anyone wearing a hoody because her attacker wore one.
'She has seen him several times including once while she was walking to school and she physically vomited at the sight of him.
'She rang me in a panic and I told her to come home, but she was closer to school so she went there. Then they sent her straight home.
'Another time, she saw him on the path outside his home. He looked shocked and turned away, but it really knocked her.
'The problem is that we have to drive past his home to get anywhere. One time we were going past, and we saw him in his window. It is triggering.
'I also saw him alone outside his home, and reported it to police, but he insisted that his case worker was with him, although I didn't see anyone.
'My mum also saw him breaking his bail conditions eight-weeks-ago at the top of our road walking with his mother with his hood up
'It was reported to the police, but it took a week and a half for him to be picked up. He was put up before a judge and had his conditions tightened so he could not come out of his home and then walk towards our house.'
The girl said: 'My anxiety has been really bad since I was raped. It has affected me being at school because I don't want to pass his home.
'I still get tearful and sick, and I have been having flashbacks. Having him around here, just makes things worse. It is in the back of my mind the whole time.
'But I have been having counselling for six months and that has been really helpful.'
The mother enlisted the help of Harlow Conservative MP Robert Halfon to try and get the boy out of the area.
He raised the in a question in Parliament to Home Office minister Rachel Maclean in February, saying the victim and her family had been caused 'intolerable distress'.
The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were told by police that steps could only be taken to force the boy to move if he lived within 100m of them
Mr Halfon told MailOnline today: 'Too often, victims of sexual assault crimes are treated appallingly by the very apparatus meant to protect them - the criminal justice system.
'This has never been more the case than for my 14-year-old constituent. Her attacker has been allowed to live 120m away from her, despite Essex Police and the CPS vigorously arguing against it.
'Worst still, his bail hearing was thrice delayed, and his sentencing was extremely disappointing.
'My constituent is in a critical exam year, and has missed much schoolwork and exam preparation due to her anxiety and continuous panic attacks.
'The crime and the subsequent judicial proceedings have impacted her psychological and educational well-being.
'I have spoken in the Chamber regarding this case, had a meeting with a Minister, and written several letters to both Government Ministers and local authorities and yet nothing has been done.
'My teenage constituent has suffered enough, and I will continue to pursue every avenue available to ensure she receives the proper justice she deserves.
