LET OFF.. THUGS WHO TORTURED AN AUTISTIC BOY

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LET OFF.. THUGS WHO TORTURED AN AUTISTIC BOY

By Byrne 12/10/2010

Shocked MP and family blast judge

Three thugs who tortured a vulnerable teenager for days have escaped prison

sentences.

The savages even filmed themselves attacking their 17-year-old victim, who has

autism and Asperger's syndrome.

But a judge - following a Government initiative - decided not to jail them and

gave out community service orders and curfews. Yesterday, it emerged his court

is in one of six areas trialling an " intensive alternative to custody " scheme.

It is aimed at offenders aged 18-25 who would have faced jail terms of less than

a year and involves supervision, victim awareness courses and unpaid work. The

tortured boy's family last night branded the lenient sentences " a joke " and

their MP vowed to petition Justice Secretary Ken e.

Manchester crown court was told that Jack Bolton, and

Marshall - all 18 - booted the lad's head, battered him with at ennis racket,

scratched his limbs with sandpaper and hurled him down a steep hill.

They pelted him with dog mess and forced alcohol into him till he passed out.

They coaxed his dog into simulating a sex act on him and filmed it, yelling,

" Are you loving it? " as the boy wept: " No I'm not. Please don't hurt me. "

Finally, they stuck tape to his genitals then ripped it off.

Their mobile phone film showed all three laughing amid the attacks - carried out

over three days at 's house while his parents were on holiday.

The victim has now fled the home where he lived with his aunt - while the

torturers he thought were his pals are back on Salford's streets on 12 months'

supervision. All admitted assault, which they blamed on being " bored " .

Judge Geake admitted the attacks were " grotesque " but said he took into

account the trio's age, remorse, guilty pleas and the fact they came from decent

homes. " I conclude this was a departure from your normal not sensible selves, "

he said.

The victim's aunt - who moved with him to another part of Britain and cannot be

named to protect his identity - said: " The attacks on film lasted days - but

this went on for weeks.

" My lad was so scared of these boys he'd lie about his bruises. I realised how

serious it was when he came home with a trainer print on his face. " The judge's

sentence is a joke and I can't tell my nephew what the sentence was or he'll

feel totally let down. This bullying scum have got away with it. "

Labour MP Hazel Blears said: " I'm shocked the judge let these thugs walk the

streets of my constituency. This is not a just sentence. I am writing of my

concerns to the Justice Secretary. "

SYSTEM ON TRIAL

The " custody alternative " scheme is on test in Greater Manchester, Derbyshire,

West Yorkshire, Wales, Merseyside and Humberside.

The Justice Department said: " Serious and prolific offenders should go to jail

but simply locking people up because we have no better disposal is a waste of

public funds.

" We should use alternative penalties that punish offenders. Community sentences

which support rehabilitation will divert offenders from the revolving door of

endless short prison sentences. "