One of the boys charged with the buggery and murder of six-year-old Sean Luke is claiming that a prison officer beat and threatened to infect him with the AIDS virus.

The allegation was made yesterday during a hearing of the matter in the Couva Magistrates' Court.

The State's attorney, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, said he would be taking the claim to the Commissioner of Prisons.

He also said that DPP Geoffrey Henderson had asked that Police Commissioner Trevor Paul launch an investigation to find out who published a picture of one of the accused boys on the internet.

The boys, aged 13 and 16, are charged with murdering little Sean by inserting a sugarcane stalk into his rectum. The infant bled to death.

His body was found in a canefield near his home on March 28, two days after he disappeared while playing.

The images, names, and addresses of the boys cannot be made public according to law because of their age.

The 13-year-old came to court yesterday without a parent or guardian to stand at his side.

The 16-year-old had his mother and stepfather in court. Their attorney, Wayne Sturge, did not show.

Attorney Giles said he was appearing for the 16-year-old on the request of the teen's parents.

He said the teenager claimed that he was forced to sign a statement by CID officers when arrested, and wanted his matter started as soon a s possible.

Giles said the boy complained that a prison officer had beaten him and injured his eye, and "that a prison officer also threatened to give him AIDS".

Gaspard said: "With respect to the threats, perhaps I could have a word with the Commissioner of Prisons so as to appraise him of this particular development."

However, he said the claim that the 16-year-old had been forced to sign a statement should be dealt with during the hearing of the preliminary enquiry.

"The question of the admissibility of the statement is not for this court at this state," Gaspard said.

He also said that Henderson had directed that an investigation be launched into the issue of the internet photo.

He said the State was ready to start the enquiry, but Magistrate Ayers-Caesar adjourned the matter to May 26, saying "hopefully Mr Sturge will be here".