Two 15-year-old boys who initially avoided custody for raping two girls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, have been sentenced to four years' detention after the Court of Appeal ruled their original sentences were unduly lenient.
Background of the Case
The convictions relate to two attacks in November 2024 and January 2025. In the first incident, a 15-year-old girl was raped by two boys, identified as X and Y, who were 14 at the time. In the second attack, X and Y took turns raping a 14-year-old girl while a third boy, Z, encouraged them and filmed the offending.
The Attorney General, Richard Hermer, referred the case to the Court of Appeal after a national outcry over the original sentences. At Southampton Crown Court on 21 May, X and Y received three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision and surveillance (ISS), while Z received an 18-month youth rehabilitation order.
Appeal Court Ruling
On Thursday, the Lady Chief Justice, Sue Carr, sitting with two other judges at the High Court in London, stated that the trial judge had erred by imposing youth rehabilitation orders. Addressing X and Y via video link, Carr said: “We have decided that we do need to change your sentence and that both of you do need to go into detention. We have made that decision because we think that what you both did was so bad that we have no other choice. You both raped two girls on two different occasions. You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming what you did, which was a horrible thing to do.”
The court imposed four-year detention sentences on X and Y, with deductions for time already served in detention and half the time spent on curfew. They will serve half the remaining sentence after those deductions. Restraining orders preventing contact with their victims were extended from 10 years to life, and they will be subject to police notification requirements for life.
For Z, who was 13 at the time of the offence, Carr said: “We have decided that because you were very young and find some things really very difficult to understand, and because you were only involved on one occasion, we do not need to change your sentence.” His 18-month youth rehabilitation order remains.
Impact on Victims and Families
The families of the two victims expressed gratitude and relief. One family said: “We believe this was the correct decision, and we are thankful that our voices were heard throughout this process. While nothing can undo our family’s anguish, this outcome brings a greater sense of justice and accountability.”
Attorney General Richard Hermer commented: “No one should have to endure what the victims went through, and I commend their bravery in coming forward and campaigning for justice.”
Judicial Concerns
Carr also expressed concern about “inaccurate reporting and misinformed and inappropriate commentary by members of parliament” stemming from an inaccurate Crown Prosecution Service press release. The press release, issued after the initial sentencing and not corrected until 10 June, incorrectly stated that the offending involved a knife-point rape and that the second victim had been forced to give up her phone to avoid tracking.
The case highlights the challenges of sentencing young offenders for serious crimes, balancing rehabilitation with the severity of the offences and the impact on victims.
