A TEENAGE boy was due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates today charged in connection with the sexual assault of a 12-year-old local girl.

Police launched an investigation after the girl reported that she had been a victim of sexual assault in a back garden in Whitebirk, Blackburn, around 5pm on Tuesday. The alleged assault was reported to the police yesterday.

A 16-year-old local youth was arrested yesterday lunchtime and has been charged with sexual assault and further sexual offences, which were allegedly committed against the same victim. The youth cannot be named for legal reasons.