A teenager who committed "nasty" sex offences against younger boys has walked free from of Court, after a judge decided not to lock him up.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted by a jury last month of eight offences of indecent assault.

But the youngster was cleared of two allegations of male rape.

He was yesterday made the subject of a 12-month supervision order which will include a period of intensive surveillance. He was also put under an 8pm to 7am curfew for three months, and he will be placed on the sex offenders' register for two and a half years.

Passing sentence at Bradford Crown Court, the Honorary Recorder of Bradford, Judge Stephen Gullick, said the youth had committed a series of "nasty" offences.

He said he would have sent the boy to a young offenders' institution for several years had he been 18 or older.

He told him: "These were boys who came to your house and stayed at your house.

"If you get involved in this sort of behaviour again when you are older, I have not the slightest doubt that a judge will lock you up."

The court was told that the offences occurred when the youth was aged between 12 and 14, although he still denied committing them.

When he was questioned by police, the 15-year-old said the three complainants were lying.

During the case, prosecutor Andrew Woolman said the youngest complainant had said the teenager had done "loads of dirty stuff".

The victim said the 15-year-old tried to kiss him and told him he was gay.