The UK government is urgently reviewing the sentences given to three teenage boys who avoided custody for the rape of two girls in Hampshire. The boys, aged 14 and 15 at the time of the offences, received youth rehabilitation orders, prompting outrage from MPs and police officials.
Labour MP Jess Phillips, former minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, described the sentences as 'unduly lenient' and said they sent a 'bad message'. She noted that the boys appeared to be 'raping for content' to share on social media.
The attacks occurred in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January 2025. In the first incident, a 15-year-old girl was raped by two 14-year-old boys. In the second, the three boys threatened a 14-year-old girl with a knife, with two raping her while the third filmed and encouraged the assault.
At Southampton Crown Court, two 15-year-old boys received three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision, while a 14-year-old was given an 18-month order. Judge Rowland said he aimed to avoid 'criminalising these children unnecessarily' and noted peer pressure played a role.
Hampshire police and crime commissioner Donna Jones called the sentences 'far too lenient' and offered to support the victims' families in appealing. A government spokesperson confirmed the Attorney General's office had received multiple requests for review under the unduly lenient sentences scheme.
