A WEST Cumbrian teenager has been put on the Sex Offender Register for five years after he was convicted of rape.

The youth, who was 16 when he committed the offence in the Maryport area, denied any wrongdoing but he was convicted after a trial before a district judge in a youth court.

The defendant – now 18 - continues to deny the offence and has lodged an appeal against the conviction.

At the youth court in Barrow, prosecuting barrister Francis McEntee gave an outline of the case. He said the victim - who was a similar age to the defendant - had initially consented to sex with the teenager during the incident in 2022.

The essence of the case, said Mr McEntee, was that the victim had asked the boy to stop because it was hurting.

“But the defendant didn’t stop and appeared to take some enjoyment from that,” said Mr McEntee. The trial heard that he had responded to the girl’s comment by saying: “Good. I’m glad it hurts.

“Just take it.”

A charge that the youth subjected the female to “coercive and controlling behaviour” was not proceeded with, the court heard. There was no victim impact statement available for the hearing.

The defendant had no previous convictions, confirmed Mr McEntee. Judge John Temperley said the defendant, who was 16 at the time of the incident, would be dealt with as if he were still a youth.

Defence barrister Niamh Ingham said the youth, who was a looked after child, was receiving continuing support from the local authority.

“There is no explanation as to why [the case] took so long to proceed,” the barrister told the court. She said the Probation Service had assessed the defendant as posing a low risk of reoffending.

Miss Ingham spoke also of the impact of the defendant’s background on his behaviour.

Addressing the youth directly, District Judge Temperley said he would ask the teenager no questions about the offence, given that the defendant was appealing against the conviction.

The youth had been convicted of the “extremely serious offence of rape after a trial,” pointed out District Judge Temperley.

Asked about his current circumstances, the teenager said: “I feel a bit lost. I don’t know what to do at the minute.”

The defendant confirmed that he is willing to work with the Probation Service. The District Judge noted the defendant’s care background, which had involved him being separated from close family members.

District Judge Temperley highlighted a report which expressed concern about the defendant’s emotional maturity and his ability to control his behaviour, as well as his understanding of consent and his attitudes towards young women.

The judge continued: “It is also clear that the probation officer who prepared the report believes that that they can work with [the defendant] and there is a realistic alternative to a custodial sentence.”

District Judge Temperley imposed a two-year youth rehabilitation order. The youth will have to work with the Probation Service and because of the “extreme seriousness” of the offence any breach of the order could lead to resentencing and the defendant losing his liberty.

“It’s important to take this opportunity,” said the judge. He said the defendant will be on the Sex Offender Register for five years.