London, Dec 17 (DPA) Two 10-year-old boys have appeared in a court in Britain charged with the rape of a girl reported to be just eight years old, justice authorities said.
The boys were accompanied by relatives when they appeared before magistrates in Uxbridge, west London, each charged with two counts of rape.
The alleged attack relates to an incident in a park in Hayes, west London, on Oct 27, where the children were playing.
The boys were freed on conditional bail and will have to appear for a further hearing Jan 28.
Reporting on the case has been restricted by a court order in view of the young ages of the defendants.
The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10, and eight in Scotland – the lowest in Europe.
However, judicial sources described the case as “unusual” and said they were shocked at the young ages of the children involved.
