A teenager who viciously beat and humiliated a youth by making him jump naked in a river for his amusement will not be sent to youth prison.

In a terrifying and degrading incident, the victim was forced to shoplift alcohol and had valuable items stolen before being marched to the River Frome in Dorchester and kicked in, before being made to do jump for the amusement of his teenage attackers.

The victim's worried father tracked the location of his phone and was also violently assaulted.

As previously reported the teenager pleaded guilty in a previous court appearance and appeared in Weymouth Magistrates Court for sentencing.

The other boy, aged 17, appeared in court in August in connection with the same incident which occurred on July 3.

Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting, told the court that the victim and defendants had an ongoing dispute. The defendants forced the victim to accompany them via train to Dorchester, where they beat him and made him take part in two shoplifts to steal alcohol.

Whilst being forced to shoplift, the victim mouthed 'help' at a passing member of the public, who approached and asked if everything was ok. 

During the beating, one of they told the victim: "We thought we were going to stab you but we are not, what we are going to do is talk to you."

The group then moved to the river at Frome Terrace, Dorchester.

River FromeRiver Frome (Image: Newsquest)

The victim was kicked into the river, told to strip, and jump up and down naked.

The victim accidentally pressed a button on his phone alerting his grandmother who contacted his parents in a panic.

The victim's father tracked his phone before being attacked allowing the boy to escape.

The victim ran crying and terrified to his mother's car screaming 'drive, drive'.

Ms Valera added that in adult court these offences would be looking at a minimum of seven years in prison.

Simon Lacey, mitigating, told the court that the defendant was remorseful, but adds this was his first offence, and he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Mr Lacey argued that the defendant had made an effort to turn his life around and that a custodial sentence would destroy that chance, adding that alcohol had played a role.

The defendant said: "Sorry, I regret doing it. I wasn't really thinking. I was told false information. I won't do it again."

The chair of the magistrates' bench Sarah Saunders said: "If we were in an adult court this offence would be so serious you would be looking at a considerable custodial sentence.

"We want to see that you are rehabilitated. We don't think at this point in time sending you to a youth prison is going to help you stop offending."

The defendant has been given a 12-month referral order. This means he must agree to a contract of rehabilitative and restorative elements to be completed within the sentence.

Additionally, he must abide by a restraining order not to contact or go near the victim and his parents as well as locations in Weymouth. This will last for two years.

The youth victim will be paid compensation of £2,000 and his father will receive £200.