Sex Attack Girl Gang Detained

Three girls who attacked and sexually assaulted a teenage boy during a 'happy slapping' incident have been given detention orders.

The girls, two aged 17 and one aged 16, were found guilty of false imprisonment and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent at Inner London Crown Court on August 9.

One girl pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, while the other two were guilty of the same charge.

All three were acquitted of theft, while one girl was acquitted of kidnapping.

A fourth girl, also aged 17, was acquitted of all counts.

The court heard how the boy, now aged 18, had been subjected to a physical assault which was described as "sudden and severe", before being made to strip naked and perform a sex act in front of the group.

During the three-and-a-half hour ordeal, which took place in flats in Woolwich, southeast London in March last year, the boy was also forced to sit in a cold bath, while ketchup and kitchen oil was poured over him.

Judge Colin Smith said that the fact that the boy's ordeal was recorded on at least one mobile phone was particularly unpleasant.

A 17-year-old girl who was said to be the ringleader of the group was sentenced to four years' detention, while the 16-year-old received a three-year detention order and the other 17-year-old was sentenced to two years' detention.

All three cannot be named because of their age.

(KMcA/SP)