Child rape case prompts demands for action on pornography access

The 14-year-old boy, who was 12 at the time of the incident, was spared a custodial sentence after raping and sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl.

Instead his case has been sent to a children's panel, which will keep him under continued supervision and provide him with support and advice, including how to handle relationships and sexual development.

The boy’s defence lawyer told the judge that his actions with the nine-year-old victim had emulated acts that he had seen on explicit websites.

Christine Beddoe, director of Ecpat UK, which campaigns to end child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes, said: “This case highlights the urgent need for families, communities and the authorities to come together and assess child safeguarding in light of extremely easy access to both adult and child pornography.