The two 11-year-old boys were tried at the Old Bailey in May, when they were found guilty of attempting to rape an eight-year-old girl but cleared of rape.
Yesterday, sentencing the boys, Mr Justice Saunders said he did not believe they knew what they were doing was criminal. He gave the pair a three-year supervision order and gave their mothers 12-month parenting orders.
Speaking after the hearing, Commissioner Maggie Atkinson said: "We very much hope that the young victim of the attempted rape receives the help and support she needs to overcome her experiences. In this case, the judge has recognised that the two boys were very young and sentenced them accordingly.
"We also welcome his recognition of parental responsibility through the imposition of parenting orders. Children who do wrong must be made to face up to and be held accountable for their actions in ways that are appropriate to their age and the severity of their crime."
The boys' trial has caused controversy among children’s rights campaigners, who believe the case should have been handled in a youth court, rather than the Old Bailey.
