A SCHOOLBOY convicted by a jury of trying to rape a 16-year-old girl in an alley has been told to expect to be locked up for a long time.

Judge Peter Fox lifted an order banning the publication of the identity of 15-year-old Glen Coltman after the jury at Teesside Crown Court convicted him of the attempted rape of the girl in March.

He told Coltman: "It was a terrible attack on that girl. You left her in a dreadful condition and it was all because you wanted your lustful way with her.

"You seem to me, subject to anything that I may learn about you in a few weeks' time when you return to be sentenced, to be capable of being very dangerous and you may expect a substantial sentence for this."

Coltman, of Perth Street, Hartlepool, had denied trying to rape the girl in the alley behind the NatWest Bank, in York Road, Hartlepool, but had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Following Coltman's conviction, the case was adjourned for the preparation of a report on him. He was remanded into secure accommodation. Sentence is expected to be after the August Bank Holiday.

The court had heard that Coltman had been out drinking with friends in Hartlepool town centre. The girl had also been drinking. But after midnight she was discovered with her clothes dishevelled, her trousers almost ripped off, her eyes closed with the blows she had received to her face, and her teeth damaged.

The girl suffered cracks to her front teeth which may lead to further dental treatment.

Yesterday, after the jury verdict, Graham Reeds, prosecuting, told the court that following the attack there was such concern in Hartlepool to find whoever had committed the assault that a reward of £1,000 was offered. Posters offering the reward carried photographs of the girl's injuries.

Mr Reeds said a friend who had been with Coltman during that night went to the police to tell them what he knew about the events of the evening. He never made any mention of the reward, nor had he sought to claim it.