Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that a judge's decision to spare two teenage rapists from a custodial sentence has been referred to the Court of Appeal. The attacks took place in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in late 2024 and early 2025, involving two girls aged 15 and 14.
During the first attack, a 15-year-old girl was raped by two teenagers, both aged 14 at the time. The second assault was carried out by three teens, who threatened the 14-year-old victim with a knife. Two of the attackers raped the young girl while the others encouraged them and filmed the horrific assaults.
Last week, two 15-year-old boys were handed three-year youth rehabilitation orders and placed under intensive supervision and surveillance (ISS). A third boy, aged 14, received an 18-month youth rehabilitation order. The judge informed Southampton Crown Court that he wished to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily."
Following the decision not to imprison the attackers, one victim told the BBC it felt like a "rock straight in my face." Mr Starmer said: "There are questions about the sentence. The Attorney General has the power to refer a case to a court of appeal if the Attorney General thinks that the sentence is too lenient. The Attorney General has now exercised that power. So I can announce that case now will go to a Court of Appeal... and that is clearly the right outcome."
He continued: "I think it's a really distressing case. I think it's distressing for everybody to see, to hear about. The courage, frankly, of the girls to come forward is humbling, but it is distressing. I find it distressing as a politician. I find it distressing as a father."
Court of Appeal judges will now consider whether the sentences handed down were unduly lenient. Lord Hermer stated: "It is clear to me from their powerful personal statements that these girls have displayed immense bravery in coming forward. There is an epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country, and this government will not hesitate in taking action to ensure all women and girls feel safe and have confidence in the justice system."
One of the teenage victims, now 16, expressed her desire for the boys' sentences to be revised. Speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, she said: "Why did I sit and put myself through the pain of going to court, going through a trial, reliving everything because of evidence and watching it all happen again?"
Barrister Charlotte Proudman, who specialises in violence against women and girls, remarked: "It shows that the criminal justice system is not fit for purpose, and it's protecting the future of bullies, rather than the harm caused to girls." She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The impact on other girls and women, listening to what these survivors have been through – and the fact that it resulted in rapists receiving no prison time whatsoever, is likely to send out strong alarm bells and make them question why bother reporting."
The sentences were handed down by Judge Nicholas Rowland at Southampton Crown Court. He addressed the defendants, stating: "I have to remember that you are not small adults. I have to think how likely you are to do serious things again and I need to make sure you do not do serious things again in the future."
Mr Starmer spoke out on Sunday following the victim's interview, saying: "This is a harrowing and brave testimony." He continued: "The girls at the heart of this case have shown extraordinary bravery and strength in heinous circumstances. This is an appalling case and it is right that law officers are urgently reviewing the sentences."
Earlier, former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve also weighed in, saying: "The decision by the judge was certainly unusual in view of the seriousness of the offence. But these were, at the same time, juveniles – indeed, quite young. And, therefore, the judge can seek to justify his decision as to why to depart from the guidelines for sentencing." He added: "But people are perfectly entitled to ask the attorney general to review the matter."
