Boy denies act with dog on Hungerford Common

A district judge sitting at Reading Magistrates’ Court heard that the youth was spotted by at least five women, one of whom was accompanied by a young child.
The incident is said to have occurred around 4.45pm on October 14 last year. The defendant, who is under the age of 18, cannot be named for legal reasons.
Victoria Griffiths, prosecuting, described what three of the women said they had seen, and added: “When he became aware of them, he got up and ran.”
The court heard that one of the witnesses saw the same youth on the common the following day and called police.
Ms Griffiths said: “There is also forensic evidence.”
The judge heard that a veterinary surgeon had determined that no lasting harm had been done to the animal.
The youth, who has no previous convictions, denies committing the alleged act, thereby outraging public decency.
The hearing was told that, when he was arrested by police, he initially denied having been on the common at that time and claimed he had been playing computer games indoors.
However, he later admitted to walking a dog on the common.
Giving evidence on November 6, during the second day of the two-day hearing, one young woman who witnessed the alleged incident said she could hardly believe what she was seeing. She added: “I felt horrible - sick to my stomach. I couldn't believe something like that happened.”
Another witness, a middle-aged woman who was less than 20 yards from the youth, said she was “horrified” by the incident.
The court heard she was out walking on the common the following day when she noticed what she thought was the same teenager, so she noted where he went and informed police.
Another female witness who lives nearby expressed her “total disbelief” and added: “I just don't know how anyone could do such a thing.”
Nancy Marsh, defending, accused this witness of unintentionally adopting facts from her friend's recollection of events when she was on the telephone to police. The witness replied: “I was in shock. There was so much going through my head at the time. It was just a natural process of us both chipping in (with information).”
The part-heard hearing, before District Judge Andrew Vickers, was adjourned and is due to resume tomorrow (Friday).