The UK government is urgently reviewing the sentences given to three teenage boys who avoided custody for raping two girls in Hampshire, following widespread criticism that the punishments were 'unduly lenient'. The boys, aged 14 and 15, received youth rehabilitation orders instead of prison terms.
The cases involved two separate incidents in Fordingbridge. In November 2024, a 15-year-old girl was raped by two 14-year-old boys. In January last year, the three boys threatened a 14-year-old girl with a knife; two raped her while the third filmed the assault. The court heard that the attacks were shared on social media.
On Thursday, at Southampton Crown Court, two 15-year-olds received three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision, while the 14-year-old received an 18-month order. Judge Rowland said he aimed to avoid criminalising the children unnecessarily, citing peer pressure and the defendants' conditions including ADHD and cognitive impairments.
Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips described the sentences as sending a 'bad message', noting the victims endured a lengthy trial. Hampshire police and crime commissioner Donna Jones called the sentences 'far too lenient' and offered support to the victims' families for an appeal.
A government spokesperson confirmed the Attorney General's Office had received multiple requests for review under the unduly lenient sentences scheme, adding: 'We share the public's shock at the details of this horrific case.'
