Two 15-year-old boys who originally avoided custody for raping two girls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, have been sentenced to four years' detention after the Court of Appeal ruled their initial sentences were 'unduly lenient'. The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr, overturned the youth rehabilitation orders imposed by the trial judge.
Details of the Attacks
The convictions relate to two attacks in Fordingbridge. In the first incident, in November 2024, a 15-year-old girl was raped by X and Y, both aged 14 at the time. In the second attack, in January 2025, X and Y took turns raping a 14-year-old girl while Z, who was present, encouraged them and filmed the offending. The boys were identified only as X, Y, and Z due to their age.
Court of Appeal Ruling
Addressing the boys via videolink from Southampton Crown Court, Lady Chief Justice Carr stated: 'We have decided that we do need to change your sentence and that both of you do need to go into detention. We have made that decision because we think that what you both did was so bad that we have no other choice. You both raped two girls on two different occasions. You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming what you did, which was a horrible thing to do.'
The court found that the original sentences, which included three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision and surveillance for X and Y, and an 18-month youth rehabilitation order for Z, were too lenient. The Attorney General, Richard Hermer, had referred the case to the Court of Appeal after a national outcry.
Sentences and Conditions
For X and Y, the new detention sentences will be reduced by time already spent in custody before trial and half of the time spent on curfew. They will serve half of the remaining sentence after these deductions. Additionally, restraining orders preventing contact with their victims were extended from 10 years to life, and they will be subject to police notification requirements for life.
Z, who did not physically rape a victim but encouraged Y during the second attack, retained his original sentence. Carr explained: 'We have decided that because you were very young and find some things really very difficult to understand, and because you were only involved on one occasion, we do not need to change your sentence.'
Victims' Families Respond
The families of the two victims expressed relief and gratitude after the ruling. Attorney General Richard Hermer welcomed the decision, stating: 'No one should have to endure what the victims went through, and I commend their bravery in coming forward and campaigning for justice.'
