A judge’s decision not to incarcerate two teenage rapists has been escalated to the Court of Appeal by Keir Starmer, as reported. The Attorney General, Lord Richard Hermer, reevaluated the sentences that have stirred public outrage. In separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, two girls, aged 15 and 14, were sexually assaulted in November 2024 and January 2025.
In the first assault, a 15-year-old girl was raped by two 14-year-old teenagers. The subsequent attack involved three teens, with two of them raping a 14-year-old girl at knifepoint while the others recorded the assaults.
Recently, two 15-year-old boys were handed three-year youth rehabilitation orders and put under intensive supervision and surveillance. The third perpetrator, a 14-year-old boy, received an 18-month youth rehabilitation order.
Expressing a desire to avoid unnecessary criminalization of the minors, the judge at Southampton Crown Court chose not to impose imprisonment on the offenders. This decision deeply impacted one of the victims, who likened it to a sudden shock. The Attorney General has taken steps to refer the case to the Court of Appeal for review due to concerns over the leniency of the sentences.
Amid the distressing nature of the case, Mr. Starmer acknowledged the bravery of the girls for coming forward and emphasized the need for a thorough review of the sentences by the Court of Appeal judges. Lord Hermer commended the girls for their courage and affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls.
One of the teenage victims, now 16, expressed her disappointment in the sentencing outcome, questioning the purpose of her ordeal through the legal process. Barrister Charlotte Proudman criticized the justice system for failing to adequately address the harm inflicted on girls by prioritizing the offenders’ futures.
The sentences were pronounced by Judge Nicholas Rowland at Southampton Crown Court, who considered the offenders’ young age and the likelihood of reoffending in his decision-making process. Mr. Starmer commended the victims for their bravery and called for a prompt review of the sentences by legal authorities.
Former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve acknowledged the judge’s departure from sentencing guidelines due to the offenders’ age but supported calls for the Attorney General to review the case for further scrutiny.