A DEVASTATED mother has hit out at the “lenient” sentence given to a 16-yearold boy who repeatedly raped her two young sons.

The rapist, who cannot be named for legal reasons, subjected the eight and nineyear- olds to five horrific sex attacks in the garden, caravan and bedroom of his Canvey home.

The teenager admitted the attacks when he appeared at Chelmsford Youth Court and was handed a 12-month referral order, the youth equivalent of community service.

The victims’ mother is disgusted with the sentence and now plans to complain to the Attorney General, who is responsible for giving ministers legal advice, about the handling of the case.

The mum, who also lives on Canvey with her family, said: “I am absolutely furious.

What he did has had a huge impact on my sons and will affect them for the rest of their lives.

“They suffer panic attacks, they get angry and are very scared about situations they cannot control.

“Last night they were awake until midnight, crying.

They would not let me open their bedroom window because they are scared he is cross with them and will come and get them.”

The young victims were told by the rapist the abuse was “big boys’ games” and if they told anyone the police would take them away.

However, the mum later found out what had been going on when her son told her he didn’t want to play “big boys’ games” any more.

She added: “I felt like I had been hit by a bus. I immediately called social services, who informed the police.”

The boys were interviewed by specialist officers and the defendant was charged.

However, while the family were awaiting the court case, they struggled to get psychological help for the boys.

She added: “We have struggled to access any sort of help.

“We were offered six weeks counselling, but that was it.

We are now supporting the boys as a family, but we know this will continue to affect them.”

Rape cases involving juvenile defendants are usually sent to Crown Court, however the judge who first heard the case decided to keep it in youth court.

The youth court is closed to the public and juveniles appearing there cannot be identified in press reports.

The mum said: “I think he should have gone to prison because I think he is a danger to other children.

“We feel so let down by the way the case has been handled.”