warnings: Young offenders are being let off with warnings for crimes as serious as sexual assault, burglary and assault.

Statistics released through the Freedom of Information Act show more than 80 incidents in the past two years where under-16s have been spared court following serious offences in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area.

These include 11 sexual assaults, 43 burglaries and 27 assault offences resulting in actual bodily harm to the victim.

All of these offences can be judged serious enough to cross the custody threshold in youth magistrates’ sentencing guidelines.