A boy who admitted raping a seven-year-old girl when he was 11 has become one of the youngest children to be convicted of the offence in this country.

The child, now 12, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked the girl during a drunken truth-or-dare game, a court was told. The boy drank four cans of lager and two miniature bottles of vodka before the attack.

Newcastle Crown Court was told yesterday that the boy had had a troubled upbringing that included being exposed to pornography and physical abuse and had witnessed domestic violence.

The rape, which lasted less than a minute, took place in Gateshead on September 15, 2006, the court heard.

The boy will spend the next three years under supervision, where he will receive treatment for his behaviour, after the court was told that he had difficulty understanding the consequences of what he had done.

In 2004, 12-year-old Kyle Abdo became Britain's youngest-known rapist after he was convicted of attacking a nine-year-old girl. Abdo, who was 11 at the time of the incident, attacked the girl during a game of hide-and-seek at his home. In that case, the judge lifted naming restrictions.

In yesterday’s hearing, Penny Moreland, for the prosecution, said that the child was arrested after the girl told her mother what had happened.

She said: “In interview, the defendant made full and frank admissions.” While being interviewed by police the boy admitted engaging in other sexual activity, including the alleged rape of a four-year-old boy.

Social services and child psychologist reports said the boy presented a high risk of further offending on both sexes if not given proper treatment.

Because of the defendant’s age, Judge Michael Cartlidge ordered barristers to remove their wigs, and allowed the boy to sit at the back of the court with accompanying adults.

The boy was also placed on the sex offenders register for two years and banned for life from working with children. Judge Cartlidge said: “You have done something very wicked indeed and I hope over time you will learn what that is.”

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