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Boys tortured attack victims | Boys tortured attack victims |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two brothers threatened to kill two young boys in a brutal ordeal that saw them stamped on and attacked with broken glass, bricks and sharp sticks. | Two brothers threatened to kill two young boys in a brutal ordeal that saw them stamped on and attacked with broken glass, bricks and sharp sticks. |
Sheffield Crown Court heard the pair, aged 10 and 12, led the youngsters to an isolated spot in Edlington. | Sheffield Crown Court heard the pair, aged 10 and 12, led the youngsters to an isolated spot in Edlington. |
One victim was forced to strip naked and perform a sex act and a metal ring was used to strangle one of the boys, the sentencing hearing was told. | One victim was forced to strip naked and perform a sex act and a metal ring was used to strangle one of the boys, the sentencing hearing was told. |
The pair have admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. | The pair have admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. |
They have also each pleaded guilty to robbing one of the boys of a mobile phone and the other of cash and have admitted two counts of intentionally causing a child to engage in sexual activity. | They have also each pleaded guilty to robbing one of the boys of a mobile phone and the other of cash and have admitted two counts of intentionally causing a child to engage in sexual activity. |
What they endured was humiliating and embarrassing Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell Ministers clash over attacks | What they endured was humiliating and embarrassing Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell Ministers clash over attacks |
They are being sentenced in a hearing that is expected to last three days. | They are being sentenced in a hearing that is expected to last three days. |
Judge Mr Justice Keith was told the victims, then aged nine and 11, set out on Saturday April 4 with their BMX bikes and their dog. | Judge Mr Justice Keith was told the victims, then aged nine and 11, set out on Saturday April 4 with their BMX bikes and their dog. |
They were approached by the brothers after they went to a shop and the brothers, whom they had met before, asked to use their bikes. | They were approached by the brothers after they went to a shop and the brothers, whom they had met before, asked to use their bikes. |
They then asked their victims if they wanted to go and see a dead fox. | They then asked their victims if they wanted to go and see a dead fox. |
Prosecuting, Nicholas Campbell QC said the brothers took hold of their victims and dragged them through a gap in a fence, while threatening to kill them. | Prosecuting, Nicholas Campbell QC said the brothers took hold of their victims and dragged them through a gap in a fence, while threatening to kill them. |
'Emotionally traumatic' | 'Emotionally traumatic' |
During the attack, the older brother focused his attention on the older victim, while the other brother targeted the younger boy. | During the attack, the older brother focused his attention on the older victim, while the other brother targeted the younger boy. |
The prosecutor said the victims, who are uncle and nephew, were subjected to an assault that was "both physically painful and emotionally traumatic - it was frightening". | The prosecutor said the victims, who are uncle and nephew, were subjected to an assault that was "both physically painful and emotionally traumatic - it was frightening". |
"In addition, what they endured was humiliating and embarrassing." | "In addition, what they endured was humiliating and embarrassing." |
The court was told the brothers stamped on their victims and collected bricks and stones, which were thrown at their heads. | The court was told the brothers stamped on their victims and collected bricks and stones, which were thrown at their heads. |
The two attackers were arrested by allotments in Edlington | The two attackers were arrested by allotments in Edlington |
Police who searched the scene later found a great deal of blood and blood-stained "weapons" including a wooden branch and a stone weighing 28lbs. | Police who searched the scene later found a great deal of blood and blood-stained "weapons" including a wooden branch and a stone weighing 28lbs. |
The court heard how a metal ring was used by the elder brother to attempt to strangle one of the boys. | The court heard how a metal ring was used by the elder brother to attempt to strangle one of the boys. |
Mr Campbell said one of the boys was stripped naked and was told to perform a sex act. | |
Set on fire | Set on fire |
When people were heard approaching the area, a plastic sheet was placed over the two boys, which was then set on fire causing burns to the boys. | When people were heard approaching the area, a plastic sheet was placed over the two boys, which was then set on fire causing burns to the boys. |
Mr Campbell said when the younger boy refused to cross a stream he was told: "If you're not going to come over here, then you'd better kill yourself. Otherwise we're going to come over and do it." | Mr Campbell said when the younger boy refused to cross a stream he was told: "If you're not going to come over here, then you'd better kill yourself. Otherwise we're going to come over and do it." |
Eventually the younger defendant said they had to go to meet their father. | |
Mr Campbell said: "[The older brother] replied 'One minute. I need to kill them both because they might just grass on us'." | Mr Campbell said: "[The older brother] replied 'One minute. I need to kill them both because they might just grass on us'." |
Rocks were then thrown at the two victims before the pair left, telling the two boys to stay where they were or they would "come back and finish you off". | |
The brothers have also admitted causing another 11-year-old boy actual bodily harm a week before the young boys were attacked. | The brothers have also admitted causing another 11-year-old boy actual bodily harm a week before the young boys were attacked. |
A BBC investigation has already revealed the two attackers were well-known troublemakers and that social services were heavily involved in their lives. | A BBC investigation has already revealed the two attackers were well-known troublemakers and that social services were heavily involved in their lives. |
A Safeguarding Children Board report, seen by BBC Newsnight, found the attack could have been prevented. | A Safeguarding Children Board report, seen by BBC Newsnight, found the attack could have been prevented. |