UK appeal court detains two teenage rapists for four years after ruling original sentences unduly lenient
The Court of Appeal in London increased the sentences of two boys convicted of raping two girls in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, from youth rehabilitation orders to four years' detention, following a referral by the attorney general.
The attacks and original sentences
Two boys, referred to as X and Y, were 14 when they raped two girls in separate attacks in Fordingbridge in November 2024 and January 2025. A third boy, Z, then 13, encouraged one of the attacks and filmed it. In May 2025, all three were convicted of multiple rape and indecent image offences at Southampton Crown Court. Judge Nicholas Rowland imposed three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision on X and Y, and an 18-month order on Z, citing the need to avoid criminalising children unnecessarily and the boys' learning difficulties.
Public outcry and political intervention
The non-custodial sentences triggered widespread anger. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the case appalling, and Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer referred the sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient.
The referral came amid misinformation that the rapes had occurred at knifepoint, which the trial judge later said did not happen.For the crime of rape, only prison will do.
Appeal court ruling
On 2 July 2026, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Edis and Ms Justice Norton, ruled that the original sentences for X and Y were unduly lenient. She said the trial judge had undervalued the seriousness of the offending.
The court imposed four years' detention on each boy, with time already spent on curfew counting towards the sentence, meaning they will serve less than the full term. A lifelong restraining order was also imposed. Z's sentence was left unchanged because of his very young age and difficulty understanding the proceedings.You both raped two girls on two different occasions. You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming it.
- First rape of a 15-year-old girl by X and Y in Fordingbridge.
- Second rape of a 14-year-old girl by X, Y and Z in Fordingbridge.
- Southampton Crown Court convicts all three boys and imposes non-custodial youth rehabilitation orders.
- Attorney General Lord Hermer refers the sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient.
- Court of Appeal increases X and Y's sentences to four years' detention; Z's sentence unchanged.
CPS press release errors
The Crown Prosecution Service came under sharp criticism for issuing a press release after the original sentencing that incorrectly stated the second rape involved a knife. Judge Rowland had found that a knifepoint rape did not occur. Lady Chief Justice Carr said the errors were very significant and were not corrected until 10 June, almost three weeks later. The CPS has been ordered to provide a full written explanation by 9 July, after which further steps may be considered.
Reactions
One victim, referred to as Jazmine, said she felt like she was the one living in a prison.
Her family said justice had finally been done. The boys are expected to appeal the new sentences.I feel like I am the one who has been sentenced, I feel like I am the one living in a prison even though I did nothing wrong.
