A five-year-old girl was sexually abused by a 17-year-old youth who was babysitting her.
The teenager initially denied he had touched the little girl while she was in his care, but then admitted the vile offence on the morning of his trial at Sunderland Youth Court.
Laying out the case against the boy, prosecutor John McGlone told the court the child had told her dad the babysitter had 'hurt' her. She refused to sleep in her bed, and the next day made the same claim to her mum, who called the police.
The teenager, whose identity has not been revealed for legal reasons, was described in court as being from a 'respectable' family.
His defence lawyer Lee Fish told the hearing that because of his bail conditions, he had not been allowed to return home since the charges were made against him in June. Mr Fish said the family now wanted to move away from the area and that the affect on them had been 'devastating'.
"He is from a stable, respectable home, where boundaries are maintained and respected," Mr Fish told the court.
"The effect on the family has been devastating, the effect on his parents has been devastating. The effect on him has been horrific."
The youth was handed down a two-year restraining order banning him from going near the victim, her parents or their home by District Judge Roger Elsey. He was also given a 12-month referral order and instructed to sign the sex offenders' register.
The Sunderland Echo reports that his referral order will involve him entering into a contract with a community volunteer youth offender panel, and could include a programme of interventions and activities to address his behaviour.
If he fails to comply with the panel's programme, the case could be sent back to court for possible re-sentencing.