A boy of 13 has been charged with raping an eight-year-old girl. The attack is said to have taken place on a bus in East Ayrshire, Scotland, last November.
The BBC reports that Scottish police confirmed the attack was alleged to have taken place, but was not publicised at the time because it was 'wrapped up quickly' with no need for a media appeal for witnesses.
The case has now been sent to the Children's Reporter, who will decide whether there is sufficient evidence take it before a Children's Hearing. It has already been decided that it is not in the public interest to try the boy before an adult court.
The details of the attack only came out after a freedom of information request was made to Police Scotland by the Herald newspaper. They had asked for details of crimes recorded on buses in Scotland between 1 April 2012 and 31 March this year. The figures released revealed 1,356 cases were recorded, including 22 sexual assaults and 29 racial offences.