Boy admits sex with girls but not rape

A Wairarapa boy, 16, charged with raping two Masterton girls, aged 12 and 14, appeared before Judge Tony Walsh in Masterton Youth Court yesterday.

A teenage boy charged with raping two underage girls has admitted having sex with both girls, but denies it was rape.

The Wairarapa boy, 16, charged with raping two Masterton girls, aged 12 and 14, appeared before Judge Tony Walsh in Masterton Youth Court yesterday. The offences are said to have taken place in a Wairarapa park.

Crown prosecutor Geraldine Kelly said one of the rape charges had been amended to a charge of sexual connection with a young person.

Defence lawyer Peter Stevens said the boy acknowledged having sex with both girls but denied raping them.

"[He] does not admit that it was rape, he clearly acknowledges that he had sexual intercourse, and it was actually him that told the police," Mr Stevens said.

Judge Walsh remanded the boy in the care of Child, Youth and Family until February 13, for the Crown to consider whether it will amend the other rape charge.

All information that could lead to the boy's identification was suppressed.