A 15-YEAR-OLD boy accused of forcing himself on a teenage girl had shot a girl in the rear with a BB gun months earlier, a court has heard.

The teenager was convicted after a trial of attempted rape and sexual assault in a north Meirionnydd town. He had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.

District judge Gwyn Jones at Caernarfon youth court placed the boy on a two-year rehabilitation order with intensive supervision and on a 26 weeks’ 7pm to 7am tagged curfew.

A three-year restraining order was imposed and he must register as a sex offender for two-and-a-half years. His mother must pay £320 costs.

Judge Jones said there were two sides to the boy’s character with one being “very unpleasant, nasty”.

He told the teen: “This is a case that has troubled me in that the court must carry out what is an extremely delicate balancing exercise taking into account the seriousness of the offences and the main purpose of practice within the youth court to try and guide people from committing further offences, and to take into account the welfare of the young person before the court.”

Judge Jones added: “These are very serious offences. I am more than satisfied you would have no grounds on which to criticise me if I took the view that the only realistic option would be a detention and training order.”

Defence barrister Jonathan Austin said there were letters of support for the youngster. “The person you have before you is immature in years and certain aspects of his life,” counsel told the judge.

Mr Austin added: “There has been unpleasantness. He’s been on the receiving end of vicious cyber-bullying.”

Prosecuting barrister Matthew Curtis said a drink was poured over the accused after the BB gun scare. A friend of the boy had been laughing at what happened.

Mr Curtis said the accused told police the BB gun incident was meant to be a “joke”.

When the case against him was outlined at a trial at Llandudno court last month, Mr Curtis said the youngster had insisted “nothing happened” and it was the victim’s word against his.

But the prosecutor said the boy’s DNA was found. The defendant had then changed his story.