Boy in court over nursery sex offences

No plea entered

A 17-year-old boy has had his bail extended after appearing at Exeter Youth Court to answer a series of sex allegations.

He is charged with one count of rape against a child at jack and Jill Childcare in Torquay, which has since closed, and 13 counts of sexual touching against eight children there. Two further counts of historic rape are not linked to the nursery.

The teenager, who cannot be named because he is under 18, did not enter a plea on three charges of rape. The other sexual assault charges were not put to him when he appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon.

He is currently living outside Devon, and will next appear in court on 2 June.

Police have reminded people about of laws meaning any alleged victim of a sexual crime is automatically granted anonymity for life; regardless of age and the outcome of any subsequent criminal trial. Any suspect under the age of 18 is also by law not allowed to be identified. This includes social media.

Any breach of anonymity may be seen as interfering with a live investigation and an active criminal trial, and therefore could see those who do not adhere found in contempt of court. This means that they could find themselves in court and receive a criminal record.