A 15 year-old sex attacker assaulted a nine year-old boy after luring him into a game of hide and seek in Fife.
The teenager led the youngster to a field in Inverkeithing after chatting to him at a local skate park.
He shoved the child to the ground and choked him.
When the boy came round, he discovered his clothes had been pulled down.
His escape was described as “running for his life”.
The attacker – now aged 16 but still too young to be named – appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow and will be sentenced in June.
‘Pinkie promise’
The first offender pled guilty to physically and sexually assaulting the boy to his injury and danger of life on March 26 2022.
Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said the victim was unknown to the attacker until shortly before the crime.
The nine year-old and a friend got chatting to another boy – the brother of the accused, who was also there.
The then-15 year-old suggested a game of hide and seek in which he and the victim would “form a team”.
He led the boy down a path to a field and sat in long grass, where the attacker started asking sleazy questions.
Miss Dalziel said: “He went on to ask the boy to ‘pinkie promise’ not to tell anyone what he was about to do.
“The boy felt uncomfortable and said he had to be home by 12 noon in an effort to make his excuses and leave.”
But the attacker pushed him to the ground and grabbed him by the throat.
Choked to unconsciousness
Miss Dalziel said: “Fearing for his life, the boy tried to scream.
“The teenager placed his hand over his mouth and nose, restricting his breathing.”
The boy felt his limbs go limp before losing consciousness.
The court heard he could not remember what then happened but was next aware of his lower clothes being pulled down.
The attacker told him his “temper suddenly rises and he gets angry”.
He again made the boy “pinkie promise” to keep quiet.
The victim ran away so fast his shoes fell off.
He told his friend what happened. She described him as “running for his life”.
‘Significant attempts’ at strangulation
A man stopped to help the children and the victim’s father was contacted.
The advocate depute said: “He went to the area and found his son extremely upset.
“He could see bruising forming around his eyes, scratches on his face and reddening around his neck.”
Medics later concluded there had been “significant attempts” at strangling the boy.
The attacker was initially found at a local railway station and claimed to be there watching trains.
Attacker still at school
Mark Stewart KC, defending, said the attacker remains at school and is due to sit exams.
He asked for bail to be continued pending pre-sentencing reports being completed.
Lord Clark told the teenager: “Given the nature of the offence, I have some concern of allowing you to remain on bail.
“I take on board it is necessary for further reports to be obtained.
“On balance, it will be preferable this is carried out while you are not in custody.
“The fact bail is being allowed is not a reflection on the final sentencing decision.”
The teenager was also put on the Sex Offenders Register.
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