Three teenage boys convicted of rape and serious sexual assault in north-east England have been given youth rehabilitation orders and ordered to pay just £26 in court fees, sparking calls for urgent sentencing reform. The cases, which occurred over the past year, involved victims as young as 14 and were heard in youth courts, which 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 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 of a 14-year-old girl; he was given a similar order and a restraining order. A third case saw a 17-year-old convicted of raping a 15-year-old; he was also given a rehabilitation order and placed on the register for 30 months.
The £26 surcharge, imposed on all youth defendants receiving rehabilitation orders, is used to fund victim services. One victim, now 16, told the Guardian: “It feels like he just got away with it.” She said she fears bumping into her attacker and believes the sentence offers no deterrent. Another victim’s advocate described the fees as “less than a parking fine”.
The cases come amid public anger over a similar sentencing in Hampshire, where three teenage boys received rehabilitation orders for raping two girls aged 14 and 15. That case has been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General for being unduly lenient. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “appalling”.
Youth courts are normally closed to the public, but specialist advisers for the victims in these three cases decided to expose the sentences. The Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC) in Darlington and County Durham, which supported the victims, said the sentences fail to reflect the severity of the crimes and leave victims traumatised.
