A TEENAGER who dragged two young girls off the street and raped them has been given a five year prison term in youth custody.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, grabbed hold of one victim and pulled her into a wooded area, before pushing her to the floor and raping her.

She tried to kick and scream and was punched in the stomach during the attack on October 2 last year.

The 16-year-old remained at large and committed two more sexual attacks on February 19 this year – all the attacks occurring in the Peterlee area of County Durham.

In one incident he dragged another girl into a subway, and forced himself onto her, raping her. CCTV footage showed the lead-up to the attack.

Earlier the same day the teenager also sexually assaulted a third victim, who was drunk and with a group of friends in the town. They were also picked up on CCTV cameras.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the defendant himself was drunk during the attacks and failed to use a condom during the rapes.

When arrested he at first denied any involvement, but later entered guilty pleas at court to two charges of rape and assault by penetration.

Judge Peter Armstrong said the attacks had a considerable impact on the victims and their families. He said the sentence would have been doubled, had he been an adult.

The court heard how the teenager had a disadvantaged upbringing, although he was regarded as being of previous good character.

He had also expressed some remorse and was said to be realising the effect his actions had on the young women.

Judge Armstrong, who declined to lift a press restriction which would have identified the teenager, made him subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and he will have to register his whereabouts with police as a sex offender.

The order means he cannot have contact with any female under aged 16, unless he is supervised or unsupervised contact is agreed with a parent or guardian.