This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/21/manchester-university-sex-assaults-boy-admits-charges

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Manchester University sex assaults: boy, 14, admits five charges Manchester University sex assaults: boy, 14, admits five charges
(about 4 hours later)
A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting five women around the Manchester University campus.A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting five women around the Manchester University campus.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admits groping the women on 21 September and 5 October this year, Manchester youth court heard on Monday.The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admits groping the women on 21 September and 5 October this year, Manchester youth court heard on Monday.
He pleaded guilty to three assaults on three different women within the space of 80 minutes on 21 September and two further assaults on two more women on 5 October. He pleaded guilty to three assaults on three different women aged 21, 22 and 27 within the space of 80 minutes on 21 September and two further assaults on two more women, both aged 32, on 5 October.
Because of his age he was not required to enter the dock, but sat between his father and his lawyer, Alex Preston, in the main court room. Wearing jeans and a jumper, he stood to enter his guilty pleas and receive instructions from district judge Mark Hadfield. He sat between his father and his lawyer, Alex Preston, in the main courtroom. Because of his age he was not required to enter the dock. He stood to enter his guilty pleas and receive instructions from the district judge Mark Hadfield.
The Guardian understands he admits touching the women's bottoms outside of their clothing and, in one instance, putting his hand up a woman's top. He also admits making sexually explicit remarks to his victims. He has no previous convictions, Preston told the court.The Guardian understands he admits touching the women's bottoms outside of their clothing and, in one instance, putting his hand up a woman's top. He also admits making sexually explicit remarks to his victims. He has no previous convictions, Preston told the court.
The boy was arrested at the weekend, along with his 18-year-old brother, after a well-publicised appeal from Greater Manchester police. The brother was not charged and is currently on police bail. The boy was arrested at the weekend along with his 18-year-old brother, after a well-publicised appeal by Greater Manchester police detectives, who initially thought they were searching for a boy as young as 12. The brother was not charged and is on police bail.
The 14-year-old was given conditional bail and a curfew from 6pm to 6am and ordered not to enter the Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University campuses. Police are continuing to investigate whether the boy is responsible for other offences.
The judge ordered reports from the youth offending service and told the boy to report back for sentencing on 2 December. After the court hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin said: "These crimes shocked everybody, not least the five women who were traumatised as a result of being sexually assaulted by this young boy. For such a young boy to have committed such appalling attacks is both disturbing and unusual.
"What is important is that we thank all those members of the public who came forward this weekend after we released an appeal for information. As a direct result, other women who were assaulted by this boy came forward and we were able to present such overwhelming evidence to the courts that the young boy had no choice but to admit his guilt.
"More than anything, I am pleased for the women whom this boy sexually assaulted that they have been able to see justice carried out so quickly."
Hadfield ordered reports from the youth offending service and told the boy to return for sentencing on 2 December.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.