Child rape victim ordered into court to see how old she looks

Sep 10 2007 by Jeanette Oldham

When some of his friends turned up, he continued the assault while they watched.

Afterwards, the girl ran to a nearby house and complained that she had been raped, Ms Cubic told the court.

Police who went to the park found Choudhry nearby.

The 12 year-old later picked him out of a police line up as "the man who hurt me."

Trevor Berriman, defending, asked Judge Gregory to take into consideration that his client had believed the girl was aged 15.

He pointed out that she had been submissive during the incident.

She had also told Choudhry she was in the sixth form and had college the next day.

Mr Berriman said. Choudhry, he added, was shocked when he learned her true age.

Adjourning sentencing until September 28, the judge said he was not prepared to make a decision on a matter of such gravity without first assessing how old the victim looked.

He also asked for her video statement to be played to the court.

Choudhry may face extradition, depending on the severity of the sentence.

Last night, a police source said: "The girl was left very distraught by what happened to her. When you look at her and hear her speak, it is obvious that she is a very young girl."