AN 11-year-old boy has been charged with raping a nine-year-old boy.

The child is alleged to have committed the rape whilst out on bail for two other sexual offences. The 11-year-old from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, was waiting to appear before a youth court when he was charged with the rape, said to have taken place on Monday, June 8.

The defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, was remanded into the care of the local authority. A hearing was held in his absence at Houghton Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The defendant has already been charged with the sexual assault of two girls under the age of 13 on December 10, touching them sexually in the street.