Three teenage boys convicted of rape and serious sexual offences against girls as young as 14 avoided custody and instead received youth rehabilitation orders in separate cases in north-east England.

Sentencing data shows that in the past five years nearly three out of every four under-18s convicted of rape avoided immediate custody.

The boys had lured two teenage girls to meet them, then raped them and filmed the attacks on their phones, with a knife used during the second assault.

Exclusive: Campaigners and victims call for urgent change after ‘laughable’ sentences for youths convicted of rape

A report claims three teenage boys - in three separate cases - avoided jail and were handed "laughable" £26 court fines after attacks on girls as young as 14

Teenage rapists are being let off with £26 fines after being convicted of attacking girls as young as 14.

Three teenage boys convicted of rape and serious sexual offences against girls as young as 14 avoided custody and instead received youth rehabilitation orders in separate cases in…