The Court of Appeal will review the non-custodial sentences given to three teenage boys for the rape of two girls, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced. The boys, two aged 15 and one aged 14 at sentencing, received youth rehabilitation orders after a judge said he wanted to 'avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily'. The decision sparked widespread criticism, with former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips calling the sentences 'unduly lenient' and one victim describing the outcome as 'a rock straight in my face'.
The Attorney General, Richard Hermer KC, exercised his power to refer the case to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentences scheme. Starmer said the case was 'really distressing' and praised the courage of the victims. Hermer noted 'an epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country' and vowed to ensure confidence in the justice system.
The sentences relate to two separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. In November 2024, a 15-year-old girl was raped by two of the defendants, then aged 14. In January last year, the three boys threatened a 14-year-old girl with a knife, with two raping her while the others filmed. At Southampton Crown Court on 21 May, the two 15-year-olds received three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision, while the 14-year-old received an 18-month order. The court heard one defendant had ADHD and anxiety, another had a low IQ and ADHD, and the third had mild cognitive impairment.
The victim of the first attack, now 16, told the BBC the judge's decision 'almost made it seem as if what the boys did was not OK, but it was OK in the eyes of the law because they were still children'. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said the sentences were 'far too lenient'. The Court of Appeal will now determine whether the sentences are appropriate.
