Teenager guilty of East Devon rape
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, forced the woman to drive to a secluded spot, hit her and then raped her, before she talked him into letting her travel to a nearby town where she fled.
The boy pleaded not guilty to raping the woman in the attack, earlier this year, in East Devon, but was found guilty by a unanimous jury after about an hour of deliberations during a trial at Exeter Crown Court.
The boy, from Devon, told police that the sexual activity was consensual.
Prosecutor Richard Crabb said that the incident happened this year, when the woman was on a journey with the boy.
Mr Crabb said: “He lent towards her and she realised something wasn’t right. She tried to get out of the car and put one leg out. He hit her, pulled her back and shut the door.”
The court heard that the woman was frightened when her attacker shouted at her to give him the car keys and threatened to hurt her if she did not do what he wanted.
She tried to drive near a house and hoot her horn to get the resident’s attention, but nobody noticed.
He broke her mobile phone and put her jumper over her head during the attack.The woman told him it was “all her fault” and persuaded him to let her drive to a nearby town where she made a run for it while he was distracted.
He was later arrested and told police the woman had instigated the sex. He said he did not rape her or hit her.
The court heard the defendant had a previous conviction for battery, in 2008. The victim in that case said he had pushed her to the floor, pulled a jumper over her head and put his hands on her mouth.
Sentence was adjourned for reports to be compiled. It is due to take place at Truro Crown Court in the week commencing Monday, July 20.
The teenager was remanded in custody.
