A YOUTH who sexually abused boys at a North-East public school has had his sentence more than halved so he can start a new life.

The 17-year-old, who forced four youngsters to take part in degrading sex acts with him, was sentenced on Friday to two years' detention.

But the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, said yesterday he had handed out an excessive sentence in error and had not given sufficient consideration to matters outlined in mitigation by the boy's barrister.

He agreed to reduce his imprisonment to eight months and said the boy would be free in half that time, before the start of the academic year.

At sentencing, the boy's barrister, Robin Denny, told Teesside Crown Court the youngster had been offered a place at another school and wanted to put the past behind him.

The youth was only 15 when he carried out the attacks on the boys aged 11 to 13 between September 2002 and October last year.

He abused a 13-year-old for more than a year and abused another child who had only been at the school a few weeks.

One victim said he did not report the attacks because he was scared and intimidated by the defendant.

At yesterday's hearing, Judge Fox said: "That sentence of two years which I passed is manifestly excessive and should be substantially reduced.

"But there is no getting away from the fact that the offences are far more serious in nature and extent than occasional schoolboy sexual horseplay.

"You are bright enough to know it will permit you the opportunity to take up that which was offered to you."

Judge Fox said he had considered when reducing the sentence the boy's early guilty pleas, his age, the punishment he had already borne and the opportunity to start again.

He said the youngster would be able to put the past behind him when he begins the next academic year.

Robin Denny, in defence, said the boy and his family have suffered grievously.

He said: "He has learned the most appalling lesson and his family have suffered tremendously. He is starting something of a new life."