A judge at Southampton Crown Court has handed down non-custodial sentences to three teenage boys convicted of knife-point rape and other serious sexual offences against two teenage girls in Hampshire, stating that he wished to avoid unnecessarily criminalising the children.
Details of the Offences
The boys, aged between 13 and 14 at the time of the crimes, physically overpowered and sexually assaulted two girls, aged 14 and 15, in separate incidents two months apart. Prosecutors noted that the attacks were brazenly filmed on mobile phones. The defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced to youth rehabilitation orders ranging from 18 months to three years. One 15-year-old was convicted of three counts of rape and four counts of taking indecent images, receiving 180 days of intensive supervision and surveillance.
Judge's Reasoning
Judge Nicholas Rowland explained that the boys had low IQs, with one in the bottom 1% of his contemporaries, and diagnoses including ADHD and anxiety. He stressed the seriousness of the crimes but said peer pressure and limited understanding of consent played a role. “I should avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily,” he stated, adding that they had done well with trial restrictions and he hoped for their reintegration into society.
Victim Impact
The first victim, who was threatened with a knife and raped in a field, described her mental health deterioration, saying: “I will never get that innocence back again.” The second victim, raped in an underpass, reported nightmares and shame. Their statements were read in court, with the judge praising their bravery.
Criticism from Officials
Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones called the sentences “far too lenient” and offered support for an appeal. The Crown Prosecution Service noted a trend of youth-on-youth sexual violence, urging better education on consent. Rebecca Hitchen of the End Violence Against Women Coalition highlighted the role of online misogyny, stating: “We must question what young men are being taught.”
All three boys received 10-year restraining orders against their victims.
