A 16 year old boy has admitting having sex with a 13-year-old on Mitcham Common.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted having sex with a girl on Mitcham Common on June 29 last year, who he believed was 15.

At an earlier hearing it was agreed the sex was consensual but because of the the girl's age the teenager was still charged with statutory rape, to which he pleaded guilty.

Sentencing at Wimbledon Magistrates on February 7, District Judge Bayne, said: "It’s notable that he was not aware to a great extent of how comfortable the complainant was with the situation.

"It’s common ground that he stopped when he thought that the complainant was in pain."

She added: "It is significant when a young person accepts what they did was wrong and means they are more likely to respond to punishment in the community.

"I am satisfied that he is remorseful."

The boy was sentenced to an 18 month Youth Rehabilitation Order which includes a requirement to complete a sex and relationships course.