Boy, 12, in court accused of sexual assault

A 12-year-old boy has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting and wounding a woman in her 60s.

The suspect, who cannot be identified due to his age, indicated not guilty pleas to the charges and to unrelated allegations of intentional strangulation and theft.

District Judge David Murray, sitting at Birmingham Youth Court, remanded the boy into youth detention accommodation after hearing legal submissions.

The judge also ordered the defendant to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 21 April.

In a statement confirming details of the charges, West Midlands Police said the injured woman, who also cannot be identified, remains in a serious condition in hospital after being found at an address in Birmingham last week.

The force said: "A 12-year-old boy was arrested and has since been charged with wounding and sexual assault.

"He's also been charged with a separate theft matter last Wednesday and intentional strangulation after a woman was confronted in the street last month."

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