Daily Mail
April 25, 2014
A teenager who sexually assaulted 12 women, including a 48-year-old, has walked free from court with a referral order aimed at rehabilitating him and addressing his behaviour.
The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted 12 separate incidents when he appeared at Manchester Youth Court.
The assaults took place between August 20 and October 9, last year around the University of Manchester.
On August 28, an 18-year-old girl was sexually assaulted near to the university’s Science Park.
Less than a month later, on September 21, three women, aged 21, 22 and 27, were sexually assaulted by the boy.
Then on October 5, he sexually assaulted five women, aged 17, 21, 32, 32, and 35.
The final assault took place on October 9, when the teenager attacked a 48-year-old.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin said: ‘Thanks to the information provided by the victims and the witnesses who came forward, we were able to make a swift arrest.
‘Following our press appeal, a further six women contacted us to say that they had also been assaulted.
‘Although the victims were upset by what happened, each one of them have expressed a genuine wish the boy receives help and does not offend again.’
The teenager was sentenced by magistrates to a 12-month referral order.
According to Department of Justice guidelines, referral orders are suitable for first-time offenders under the age of 16, who plead guilty to their crimes.