Boys cleared of raping girl, 8

Two boys aged 10 and 11 were today cleared of raping an eight-year-old girl.

An Old Bailey jury found them not guilty on two charges each of raping the girl in Hayes, west London, in October last year.

The boys were later found guilty of two charges each of attempted rape by a majority of 10 to two.

The boys, who sat with their mothers in court, had denied all the charges.

The prosecution alleged the boys took the girl to different locations, including a field, to assault her.

But barristers for the boys, among the youngest to be prosecuted for rape, say they were only being naughty and playing a game like doctors and nurses.