A TEENAGER who sexually assaulted a girl in Gloucester and punched her in the face during a separate encounter has walked free from court.
The 17-year-old, from Ledbury, also had a sexual liaison with a 15-year-old girl, who was a willing partner, in a school corridor.
He pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl on November 26, 2011, assaulting her causing actual bodily harm, and twice having sexual activity with another girl between February and June 2011.
The boy originally faced four charges of rape of the first girl, which he denied.
Prosecutor Kannan Siva said the decision not to proceed with those charges had been taken with the emotional welfare of the girl very much in mind.
Mr Siva told the court the girl, who is now 18, had a "heated argument" with the boy in October 2011 and he punched her several times in the face, breast and leg. Several weeks later, they took a lift to the car park above the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
"He put his arms around her and then sexually assaulted her," said Mr Siva. "She tried to push him away and struggled with him. She was extremely distressed."
Mr Siva said the incidents involving the other girl happened at school.
Judge Jamie Tabor was told by a youth offending team manager it was thought the boy has autistic or Asperger's tendences. The boy was called into the witness box and asked how he felt now about his offences.
The boy said they had been "stupid" and he had "calmed down".
The boy was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with supervision for two years and a 25-day activity programme.
He ordered him to pay £500 compensation and he placed him on the sex offenders' register for two and a half years.