A BOY charged with rape now faces a children’s hearing after a girl suffered a serious sexual assault in Kilwinning.

The 14-year-old was arrested in connection with an attack on a girl aged 13 reported near Kilwinning railway station earlier in the year [January 28].

Police confirmed last week that the child – who cannot be identified for legal reasons due to his age – was later released by officers on an undertaking to face the charge in Kilmarnock Sheriff Court at a later date.

However, the Crown Office has since told the Times that prosecutors have now passed the accused’s case to the Scottish Children’s Reporter for a potential panel hearing or social work supervision.

The reported rape was revealed by cops during an online meeting of Kilwinning’s community councillors last month [Thursday, February 18] – with Police Scotland confirming details of the accused’s arrest with the Times last Wednesday [February 24].

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers arrested and charged a 14-year-old boy in connection with the serious sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl which happened near to Kilwinning Railway Station on Thursday, January 28.

“He was released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.”

A Crown Office spokesperson said: “The Procurator Fiscal received a report concerning a 14-year-old in connection with an alleged offence on January 28 2021. After consideration of the facts and circumstances, the case was referred to the Children’s Reporter”.

The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration [SCRA] do not comment on individual cases or provide any details on guilt, innocence or sentence to the public following the accused’s appearance before a hearing.

If an accused young person is referred to the SCRA the reporter decides whether they need some form of compulsory supervision, then refers them to a children’s hearing.

Not every youngster charged with a criminal offence referred will go to a hearing and the reporter may decide alternative options including unpaid work or social work supervision are more appropriate.

Any information on any criminality in the area can be reported to Police Scotland by contacting officers on 101 – in an emergency always dial 999.

Alternatively you can pass on information by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you have been affected by any forms of abuse and need support contact Rape Crisis Scotland on 08088 010302 or Victim Support Scotland on 08001 601985.