THE TWO boys found guilty of attempted rape will be sentenced next month, after losing their appeals against the verdicts.
The barrister representing the two boys went before the Court of Appeal yesterday (July 27) and argued that the case should have been withdrawn on the grounds that there was 'no case to answer', due to conflicting versions of events given by the eight year-old victim during the two-week trial at the Old Bailey in May.
The boys, who are 11 but were 10 at the time of the attack last October, were not present at the hearing.
The Court of Appeal judges dismissed the appeals, and ruled that the trial judge had taken the right course of action, by letting the jury decide the reliability of the evidence given.
The Old Bailey heard how the pair had lured the eight year-old girl to secluded areas in the park in College Way, Hayes, before subjecting her to a series sexual assaults. The defence argued that they were simply playing a game.
The pair are due to be sentenced on August 16.
Do you think the verdicts should have been overturned? email jackgriffith@trinitysouth.co.uk with your views.
