THE MOTHER of an 11-year-old girl who had her arm broken by an older boy has criticised his "softly, softly punishment".

She spoke after the youth – who was 15 at the time of the incident – was given a nine-month referral order by magistrates, as well as ordered to pay compensation and costs.

The boy, now 16, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to the girl, while in a play area at Spring Lane, Canterbury, last August.

Youth court magistrates heard he pulled her left arm over her head and held it until it "cracked".

After the sentencing, the girl’s mother said: "This is a softly, softly punishment for what was a violent assault by a teenage boy on a younger girl."

Sophie Hills, defending, told the court the boy was "terribly sorry" for the injury he had caused.

Full story in this week's Kentish Gazette.* kmfm's Jamie Stephens spoke to the girl's mother after the verdict...