‘Coming forward is not easy but it is thanks to their courage that these two boys can no longer cause harm to anyone else’
The boys were convicted at Grimsby Crown Court(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
Two boys aged 15 and 17 have been found guilty of rape. Police have commended the courage of the victims in coming forward saying that, thanks to their bravery, “these two boys can no longer cause harm to anyone else”.
One of the two women who was attacked by the pair suffered head and facial injuries when she was locked in a bedroom against her will in July last year. She was then dragged into another room and raped by the two boys.
The second victim came forward after a CCTV appeal was published by Humberside Police a few days later. She told officers she knew their identity and that they had sexually assaulted her the previous month and knew the address in Hull where they were.
Following a two-week trial at Grimsby Crown Court, the 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of three counts of rape, false imprisonment, actual bodily harm and sexual assault. The 17-year-old boy, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of three counts of rape, false imprisonment and actual bodily harm.
Their offending first came to light when a member of the public reported the sexual assault of the woman who had been locked in a bedroom. She had managed to escape following her ordeal and had approached the member of the public who stayed with her while officers arrived at the scene.
An investigation was launched and detectives followed multiple lines of enquiries to identify both suspects. This included the CCTV appeal that was posted through the Humberside Police media channels to ask the public for assistance.
When police were told of the Hull address where the boys were reported to be, officers went to conduct arrest attempts. On arrival, a boy matching the description of one of the suspects was seen trying to flee the scene but was caught. He was arrested on suspicion of rape, assault, false imprisonment, robbery and sexual assault.
In the early hours of the next day, police stopped a boy to question him about a different incident as he matched the description of a suspect. At this point, he identified himself as the second person in the CCTV appeal and was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault, harassment, robbery and false imprisonment.
Following the trial, Detective Constable Shelley Fuller, who led the investigation, said: “I’d first like to commend the bravery of the woman who came initially came forward and of the second woman who also called in to report her assault that helped us identify these two individuals.
“Coming forward is not easy but it is thanks to their courage that these two boys can no longer cause harm to anyone else. We take all reports of rape and other sexual offences extremely seriously and we will continue to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of predators.
“If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, or suspect someone you know has, please report it to us, a trusted adult, or an appropriate support agency. You will be listened to and, working alongside partner agencies, we will continue to take action against anyone who commits sexual offences.
“If you’re not ready to make a formal report to police yet, you can speak to specialist support networks and organisations privately and confidentially before you call us. They can talk you through the criminal process and offer advice about reporting both recent and non-recent crimes of this nature to us. Alternatively you can ring us on our non-emergency 101 line or via 999 in an emergency”.
Both boys, who have identified themselves as Romanian, have been remanded in custody ahead of their sentencing on Friday, March 13.