A Sussex boy aged 14 was today in local authority care after being charged with the rape of an eight-year-old girl.
The teenager, who is from Worthing, appeared before magistrates at the weekend.
The assault is said to have taken place in Essex on Sunday, August 18, at about 3pm and the boy, whose identity is protected by law, was arrested on Thursday by Essex detectives.
Police say the boy appeared before a special sitting of magistrates in Chelmsford, Essex, on Saturday.
He was remanded into secure local authority accommodation and will appear before a youth court at Harwich, Essex, on Wednesday.
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