Girl of 12 instigated traumatic ‘dare’ rape of child

Sentencing the pair, who cannot be identified, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said although the rape was carried out by the boy involved when he was aged 14, he was satisfied that, unusually, it was his younger co-accused, a girl who was then aged only 12, who had been the instigator of what had happened.

After reading background details, he told the boy at Leeds Crown Court yesterday: “I accept although you were the older you were encouraged by a younger, stronger character.”

She was the one to suggest playing dares and had punched the girl when she resisted.

He said it was that girl offender who turned out the light and she remained present throughout.

Despite their age he said there was no alternative but to impose 28 months detention. He said the victim had been traumatised by what happened to her.

Both youngsters from West Yorkshire had admitted the rape which happened in October, 2010.

Jason Pitter, prosecuting, said the girl had been domineering and bullying to her victim on occasions in the past although they had a form of friendship.

On the day concerned they had ended up back at the girl defendant’s home in her bedroom and were later joined by the youth.

It was at that point the 12-year-old suggested a game of dares to the other two. “It was a game that was to have serious consequences for the complainant” he said.

The girl suggested the boy have sex with the 11-year-old who was punched in the face when she indicated reluctance to participate.

The boy later said he had not seen that blow but was aware the girl was injured because he saw a cut to her lip.

The girl pushed her on to the bed and after her lower clothing was removed the boy penetrated her but stopped when the victim told him to. The pair disputed who had removed the clothes.

Mr Pitter said the girl “was encouraging what was happening and heard to be laughing.” When the boy stopped she told him: “No you’re not finished” but he ignored her.

Their victim ran home and her mother noticed her face was red. She said the other girl had hit her but did not at that stage reveal her ordeal. It was only later she felt she had to speak out.

Mark Foley, representing the boy, now 15, said: “This was a very unusual and extraordinary and exceptional set of circumstances.”

The boy was extremely immature and vulnerable to pressure from a stronger character. He said later he felt he could not back down on the dare because it would make him “seem like a wimp”.

Because of his inadequacies he was very ill equipped to cope with custody.

Richard Reed, for the girl, said it was “highly unusual offending particularly for a young female.” She too was immature and because of her troubled background had difficulty at the time empathising with the victim’s situation.

Since then she had worked well with the authorities, he said. Incarcerating her would set her back.