Two teenage rapists jailed after Court of Appeal overturns lenient sentences

Two teenage boys who walked free after being convicted of raping two girls in Fordingbridge have been sentenced to four years after their original sentence was found to be ‘unduly lenient’.

The case went to the Court of Appeal after nationwide outrage over their sentences, which saw Judge Nicholas Rowland say he wanted to ‘avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily’.

Three boys, two aged 15 and one aged 14, were spared any custodial sentence at Southampton Crown Court and were given youth rehabilitation orders.

This is despite Judge Rowland admitting their offences, which combined was 10 counts of rape and seven indecent image offences, ‘crossed the custody threshold’.

They had attacked one girl who thought she was going on a first date in November 2024, sharing footage on social media.

Along with the encouragement of a third boy, the pair attacked and filmed a second girl in January last year. Footage shows her lying motionless in a field with ‘her face buried in her hands’.

Their lenient sentences led to public outrage, with one of the victims saying she does not think ‘she will ever be the same’, while the other said: ‘I am the one being punished.’

Even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the case as ‘appalling’ and escalated the decision to the Court of Appeal.

They today decided the sentences of the two 15-year-old boys were ‘unduly lenient’, and they have now been sentenced to four years in detention.

The sentence of a 14-year-old boy who encouraged one of the rapes did not change.

Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: ‘We have decided that we do need to change your sentences and both of you do need to go into detention. What you did was so bad that we have no other choice.’

Original sentence was ‘entirely lopsided’

Tom Little KC, speaking for the Attorney General, said Judge Rowland’s sentencing remarks were ‘entirely lop-sided’ with the discussion of the offenders given much more weight compared to the victims.

In the sentencing judge’s original remarks, the word ‘rape’ was not mentioned, and the impact of the victims was given only a line and a half each.

Mr Little argued the judge ‘failed to grapple with the seriousness of the offending’.

He said: ‘The judge was wrong to conclude that neither the first victim nor the second victim suffered severe psychological harm.’

One of the victims said in a statement with her family that ‘public outrage was driven by the boys’ horrific crimes’, adding: ‘Justice has finally been done.’

In a statement published by law firm Proudmans, the victim’s family said: ‘For more than 18 months, our daughter, our family and those closest to us have lived through a nightmare that no family should ever have to endure.

‘From the moment these offences were reported, through the police investigation, the five-and-a-half-week trial and the original sentencing, the emotional toll has been immeasurable.

‘Yesterday, we heard submissions in court suggesting one of the convicted rapists had become a “pariah” because of media coverage, which had ‘exacerbated his punishment’.

‘As Gisele Pelicot said, “shame must change sides”. He is not the victim. If he faces public condemnation, it is because of his own decision to rape Jazmine.’

Southampton Crown Court heard the perpetrators recorded the attacks on their phones, laughing while outnumbering their ‘cornered and petrified’ victims.

Between them, they were guilty of 10 counts of rape and seven indecent image offences related to two victims.

The Attorney General argued that previous sexual activity involving the survivors had swayed the judge’s decision, which was described as a ‘significantly outdated approach’.

Victims speak of trauma

One of the victims, said she is ‘traumatised’ and ‘cannot move on’.

She said: ‘When I gave evidence, I was questioned in detail about what I apparently did. I was asked about the details of what happened. I was asked why I had two hands around the perpetrator’s penis.

‘It was implied that I wanted it. It was implied that I was experienced in what I was doing. It was implied that I had chosen it or taken part in it. I cannot explain how humiliating and painful that was.

‘I was 15 years old. I am a child who has been raped. I felt like I was being treated like I had done something wrong. The hardest part was being accused of lying. I knew I was telling the truth.

‘I knew what had happened to me. I tried so hard to do my best whilst talking about something which has left me with such lasting pain. That broke something inside me.’

The families of the two victims have said they are ‘grateful’ and ‘relieved’ the two teenage boys who attacked them have now been detained.

The first said: ‘We are deeply grateful and relieved by the Court of Appeal Judges’ decision to increase the sentence.

‘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.’

The second family said: ‘We welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase the defendants’ sentences after the original sentences were referred as unduly lenient. We are relieved that the Court recognised the seriousness of these offences and imposed immediate custodial sentences.

‘The original sentences were devastating for the family and left us feeling that the harm caused to our daughter had not been fully recognised. While no sentence can undo the trauma she has endured, today’s decision gives us a greater sense that justice has been served and that those responsible have been held properly accountable.

‘We are immensely proud of our daughter’s courage and strength throughout this long and difficult process. We hope this outcome reassures other victims and survivors that their voices matter and that the justice system can correct decisions that do not adequately reflect the seriousness of these crimes.’

The Attorney General has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to sentence two 15-year-old rapists to four years’ detention after finding their previous sentence unduly lenient.

Dr Charlotte Produdman, barrister for one of the victims Jazmine*, told: ‘Today’s judgment is a landmark moment for Jazmine, her family and for every survivor who has watched this case wondering whether the criminal justice system truly understands the lifechanging harm caused by rape.

‘Jazmine has shown extraordinary courage in pursuing justice despite the immense personal cost.

‘One case cannot change a system, but the opportunity this case offers to make a fresh start genuinely putting victims at the centre of our system of justice must not be wasted.’

Lord Hermer said: ‘Rape is a horrifying crime, and one that our justice system should and will punish severely. I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase the sentences of the two boys, resulting in their detention.

‘No one should have to endure what the victims went through, and I commend their bravery in coming forward and campaigning for justice.

‘This government will continue to do everything it can to tackle violence against women and girls.’