Boy charged with raping and trying to murder 10-year-old girl

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the rape and attempted murder of a 10-year-old girl in Exmouth.

The boy, who cannot legally be named due to his age, appeared in court today for a Youth Hearing

He will be held on remand until a hearing before a District Judge at Plymouth Youth Court at 10am on Thursday 11 October.

Devon and Cornwall Police’s major crime investigation team brought formal charges after the ‘violent assault’ took place on Thursday 4 October in the Marley Road area.

The victim was found in a ‘distressed’ state by a member of the public after the assault, and was taken to a woman’s home before the emergency services were contacted.

She has since been released from hospital and is being cared for by her family, a police spokesman said.

Superintendent Matt Lawler, the local policing commander for Exeter, East and Mid Devon, said: “We are able to confirm that the little girl at the centre of all our thoughts has now been discharged from hospital and is being cared for by her family.

“I would like to recognise the exceptional care she has received from specialist staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, and the close support provided by our specialist family liaison officers, which will continue in the months ahead.

“The family have asked me to say on their behalf that ‘we would like to thank the community for their help and understanding in the ongoing Police investigation.

“But, we respectfully request privacy whilst we try and come to terms with what has happened.’

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Police have warned the public not to identify the suspect or the victim on social media.

A statement read: “Anyone who is alleged to be a victim of a sexual crime are automatically granted anonymity for life; regardless of their age and regardless of the outcome of any subsequent criminal trial.

“Any suspect under the age of 18 is also by law not allowed to be identified.

“These rules are not solely for media organisations to adhere to, they also apply to members of the public and includes information posted via social media.

“This may be seen as interfering with a live investigation and an active criminal trial, and therefore could see those who do not adhere found in contempt of court. This means that they would find themselves called before a judge and landed with a criminal record.

“We therefore remind the public that it is vital that they do not speculate on the identity of either the victim or the suspect in this case.”