Three teenage boys convicted of rape and serious sexual assault of girls as young as 14 have been given youth rehabilitation orders and ordered to pay just £26 in court fees, prompting calls for urgent sentencing reform. The cases, all heard in north-east England over the past year, were dealt with under youth court rules that prioritise rehabilitation over punishment.
In one case, a 14-year-old boy was found guilty of raping a victim aged 16 or over, as well as sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl. He received a youth rehabilitation order and was placed on the sex offender register for 30 months. Another case involved a 15-year-old convicted of sexual assault by penetration against a 14-year-old girl; he was given a rehabilitation order and a restraining order, and placed on the register for 42 months. A third case saw a 17-year-old convicted of raping a 15-year-old; he received a rehabilitation order and 30 months on the register.
The victims and their advocates have expressed dismay at the sentences. One victim, now 16, said: “It feels like he just got away with it. He is still able to live his life normally and do what he wants.” She added that she fears bumping into her attacker and that the lenient sentences give offenders a sense of impunity. Another victim said the £26 surcharge, which funds victim services, is “laughable” and less than a parking fine.
The cases come amid public anger over a similar case in Hampshire, where three teenage boys received rehabilitation orders for raping two girls aged 14 and 15. That sentence has been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General for being unduly lenient. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the case as “appalling”.
Youth courts are normally closed to the public, but specialist advisers to the victims in these cases decided to expose the sentences to highlight the perceived inadequacy of punishments for serious sexual offences. The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) covering Darlington and County Durham supported the victims and called for change.
