Boys, 11, cleared of 'sex attack'

Two 11-year-old boys were cleared yesterday of putting three young brothers through a sex and knife assault.

The youngest brother, now seven, was allegedly forced at knifepoint on to Metro tracks near the Shieldfield estate in Newcastle upon Tyne, had his back slashed with knives and his private parts fondled.

After hearing evidence from the two youngest brothers, Newcastle Youth Court decided there was no evidence to convict the elder of the boys on any of six charges he faced. His co-accused, who had blamed the older boy, was cleared.