A teenager from Hitchin has been given a youth rehabilitation order after being found guilty of sexually abusing a boy under the age of 13.

A district judge heard on Tuesday that the 15-year-old defendant – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – had touched the young boy in a sexual manner last year while they were in a village near Hitchin.

In addition to the 12-month youth rehabilitation order, which will include 36 hours of ‘indirect reparation’, District Judge Leigh Smith ordered the teenager to pay £20 to fund victim services and £150 in costs.

A year-long restraining order was also made, preventing him from contacting the victim or others connected to the case.