Teenager Sentenced to Prison for Predatory Online Rape and Assault of Multiple Girls

A 15-year-old, whose identity is protected by law, has been sentenced today for a series of attacks on teenage girls. The individual was found guilty on January 28th at Southampton Youth Court of five counts of rape and sexual assault. The victims, all between the ages of 13 and 15, were targeted by the youth.

The court heard how the youth used the internet to establish contact with the girls. He would then arrange to meet them, subsequently taking them to secluded locations where the assaults occurred. Initially, during a police interview, the youth denied knowing or meeting most of the victims. However, this account changed when confronted with the evidence.

The prosecution, working with Wiltshire Police, presented a compelling case. This included eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage, and evidence from the defendant's phone. Notably, a TikTok video from the defendant was presented, in which he referred to himself as a "serial rapist." The court found the youth guilty on all charges, leading to an eight-year prison sentence.

Lucy Paddick, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, highlighted the youth's predatory behavior and lack of remorse. She emphasized the CPS's efforts to accommodate the victims' needs during the legal proceedings, minimizing the emotional impact of reliving their experiences. Paddick commended the victims for their bravery and stated the CPS's commitment to pursuing justice for victims of sexual offenses, regardless of the perpetrator's age.