A TEENAGE boy has been jailed for for raping a 15-year-old girl.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was aged 16 when he repeatedly pestered the victim for anal sex.

She always refused his advances.

But at a party, he showed a “disregard for her views” and an “entitlement” to what he wanted after drinking alcohol and being sick.

Brighton Youth Court was told that the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered nightmares after the ordeal and felt “betrayed”.

Judge Tessa Szagun found the boy, who is now 17 and from the Steyning area, guilty of one count of rape.

She said the offence was so serious that it merited 18 months of detention at a young offenders’ institution.

But lawyers for the boy have appealed the sentence.

Experts said he was suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder after a troubled childhood.

Beverly Cripps, prosecuting, said: “This is an offence of rape.

“There is a lack of consent, and a continuation of an activity which the victim had specifically said she had not wanted.”

The victim attended court to read an impact statement and hear the final judgment.

She said: “I have been severely affected by the events of that night.

“I spend a lot of time wondering if I was flawed or if there was something wrong with me.

“He betrayed my trust and destroyed my self esteem.

“A part of me was lost that night.

“I wonder what would have happened if I had never put myself in that bed.”

Siobhan Grey, defending, presented the court with evidence of the boy’s previous troubles.

She said experts from the youth offending team and a hospital said he had post-traumatic stress disorder.

And Ms Grey said the specialists were recommending a non-custodial sentence.

But Judge Szagun disagreed and jailed the boy for 18 months.

She said: “I found the victim’s evidence compelling and genuine.

“There was no embellishment or malice.”

And she added: “I find that [the boy] demonstrated a disregard for her views, and an entitlement to anal intercourse – which he knew from previous occasions that she was against.

“She said no several times.

“He would not stop because it felt good for him.”

The sentence was referred to the Crown Court for review.