A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has been jailed indefinitely for dragging a girl into a Runcorn school field and sexually assaulting her.

But the Runcorn and Widnes World cannot name the rapist after Judge Thomas Teague banned his identity from being revealed.

He said: “I think it is in the public interest in maximising the response of his rehabilitation.”

Warrington Crown Court heard on Monday how the boy, then aged 14, had previously tried to commit a sexual assault on another teenager while armed with a knife a month before the rape and had two cautions for exposure from 2007.

He was caught after a victim’s friend recognised his distinctive trainers he wore during his terrifying attack in December.

Mark Connor, prosecuting, said on October 26 last year the defendent, armed with a 6in kitchen knife, approached two 16-year-old girls walking in Halton Lodge and attempted to assault one girl.

On December 9, a 15-year-old girl was walking on a secluded path by Trident Retail Park when the pervert struck, asking her for the time.

Mr Connor said: “She told him it was 4pm, felt uneasy and thought he was suspicious but wasn’t sure if it was her imagination.”

He asked her an indecent question and despite her saying no he grabbed her in a headlock and dragged her to the grounds of Woodside Primary School where he raped her.

“She actually asked the defendent if he was going to kill her or kidnap her,” said Mr Connor.

He was arrested two days later.

David Rose, defending, said the boy had shown genuine remorse for what he had done.

“Here is a young man who could change and could be rehabilitated,” added Mr Rose.

The teen was told that he would serve at least two years and four months minus 150 days on remand before a parole board could consider to let him free.

He was also given 16 and four month consecutive sentences for attempting to commit a sexual assault, possession of a bladed weapon and common assault, put on the sex offenders’ register and banned from working with children.

Speaking after the case, Det Ch Insp Nick Bailey, pictured right, from Cheshire Police, said: “These were horrible offences that have deeply affected those involved. It is down to the strength of character of the victims and their friends during the investigation that a dangerous young man is now behind bars.

“Fortunately offences of this nature are rare and the public should be reassured that the offender will receive an appropriate and effective sentence under the IPP (Indeterminate sentence for public protection).”