A 15-year-old schoolboy carried out three sex attacks in Malvern in broad daylight.

His victims were a girl of eight, a 22-year-old mother pushing a pram and a 19-year-old woman walking her dog.

Judge Alistair McCreath said the offences were "wickedly wrong" and were normally dealt with by a long prison sentence.

But the boy had learning difficulties, being assessed by his teachers at the level of a seven-year-old.

The judge concluded that to lock him up with more sophisticated criminals could make him worse.

The boy - who lives in Malvern but cannot be identified because of a court order - was put under a supervision order until he is 18.

He must perform 45 activities specified by the probation service including 40 hours of unpaid work.

He is also under a nightly curfew for six months and must sign the sex offenders' register for two-and-a-half years.

The eight-year-old was walking along The Glade on May 11 last year when the boy approached on his bike, said Andrew Jackson, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

He put his hand up her skirt, asking her to "come and have sex with me".

Two days later he appeared from undergrowth near his home after watching the teenager with a dog.

He pushed her to the ground and indecently assaulted her.

She screamed, hoping to attract the attention of workmen nearby and the boy fled.

On October 2 he rode up on his bike as the 22-year-old was pushing her baby son in a pram, said Mr Jackson.

She felt his hand, but pulled away and flagged down a van with three men inside.

They detained the boy until police arrived and arrested him.

DNA evidence linked him to the assault on the teenager. The eight-year-old picked him out at an identity procedure.

The boy told police that he had copied the behaviour of another youth. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a child, assault by penetration and sexual assault on a woman.

Joe Kieran, defending, said the boy - now 16 - was "deeply ashamed" of his actions and "truly sorry".

He had cooperated with child agencies ever since. They had noted an improvement in his behaviour and attitudes.

The judge said the boy came from a responsible and loving family.