A 13-year-old boy accused of raping a boy aged six has made his first appearance in front of a judge at Bradford Crown Court.

The youngster arrived late for the preliminary hearing yesterday morning, accompanied by his mother.

Judge Peter Benson, who removed his wig for the short hearing, allowed the boy to sit at the back of the court out of the dock, next to his mother. The boy confirmed his name to the judge.

David McGonigal, barrister for the Crown, said the defendant was “just 13 years of age.”

The teenager is accused of two offences of raping a boy, now aged seven, during an alleged incident in Thornes Park in Rastrick, Brighouse, on January 12.

Judge Benson directed that nothing should be published that could identify the boy or his alleged victim.

Mr McGonigal said the fact that the case involved children meant that the trial should be heard as soon as possible.

The case was listed for a three- day trial in front of Judge Benson, starting on September 2.

The boy was told to come to court on August 23 for a case management hearing when he will enter pleas to the two charges.

Mr McGonigal said the police had a video interview of the alleged victim giving his account to an officer of what he says happened.

The defendant’s solicitor advocate, Mohammed Hussain, said the youngster was on bail with the condition not to contact his alleged victim.

At the close of the hearing, Judge Benson asked the boy: “Did you follow all that?”

He told him Mr Hussain would speak to him afterwards to explain the proceedings.

The judge told the boy he must attend court for the next hearing, on August 23.

He told the teenager and his mother to be there on time. “You were late this time and that is very disruptive,” he told them.