THE family of an eight-year-old boy traumatised by a series of sexual assaults spoke of their anger today after court chiefs scrapped plans to appeal against his teenage abuser's sentence.

The parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reacted after learning the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will not move to further punish the 13-year-old boy who left their child "mentally scarred".

The sentence has left their once outgoing son very withdrawn. He is so distraught by what has happened he has tried to harm himself.

Last November, the Evening Press reported how a 13-year-old West York boy admitted assaulting the youngster in a home-made den.

He admitted seven counts of indecent assault at York Crown Court and was put under a three-year supervision order.

But more than 2,000 people signed a petition asking the Attorney General to look at the sentence again.

The CPS considered appealing against the sentence, giving the family a glimmer of hope, but they have now been told the Attorney General has decided not to refer the sentence for appeal - leaving them with "no justice" and a troubled youngster.

The victim's father said: "The CPS has decided to take no further action. We were told at a meeting. We were always hoping but we knew we were fighting a losing battle.

"Obviously we are not very happy. Our son is still very mixed up about it all. He is going through quite a bit of trouble. Mentally he has taken it all very hard. He keeps trying to hurt himself. Once, he tried to stab himself with a kitchen knife. He is deeply stressed and is still attending counselling. "We see the hurt our son is going through and feel his attacker has virtually got away with it.

"If we could afford it, we would take up a civil case, but we can't. There is no justice for our son."

A CPS spokeswoman confirmed the case was closed. She said: "We can confirm that this case will not be referred for appeal. We passed our papers onto the Attorney General and he made the decision that the sentence was not unduly lenient. The parents have been informed of this."

Neil Marsden, of Yorkshire child protection group No Sad Children, has been helping the family get through their ordeal. He said: "The family was somewhat prepared for the outcome but they are still disappointed."

The Evening Press contacted the solicitor of the 13-year-old but were told his family had no comment to make.

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, January 10, 2002