Rapist not imprisoned

Regardless of his sentence, he has been convicted and, presumably, will go on the sex offenders' register so ignorance of the law was not a successful defence against conviction. (In fact, I doubt if any British barrister would even have bothered to try that one.) It appears to have been taken into account as a mitigating circumstance as, quite rightly, many specific situations often are.

In some cultures 13 year olds are not considered to be children. I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

Ducks behind sofa.

The age of consent varies from country to country. The lowest age – 12 – is in Vatican City.

ah right absent is that for boys too or just girls?

I would like to add that the British Law, in my opinion, can be far too lenient on criminals compared to other countries and allow dangerious people to walk the streets.

JessM

I think this is the lake of knowledge and we can not blame on him directly we have to now under what circumstances he rape the girl did she sexually attract the boy or first she fulfill her sexual desire and after that she claim for her rape.

Sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old is rape in the eyes of the law, even if the girl was willing.

And at 18 he should know that. Another 13 year old might say that he did not know, but at 18 he is old enough to be aware that a girl of 13 is under the age of consent.