The Court of Appeal has increased the jail sentences for two 15-year-old boys convicted of rape, ruling that their original suspended sentences were 'unduly lenient'. The teenagers, identified as X and Y, will now serve four years in a young offender institution after carrying out violent sex attacks on two girls in an underpass in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. A third 14-year-old involved in encouraging one of the assaults received an 18-month suspended sentence, which remained unchanged.
The appeal was brought by Attorney General Lord Hermer under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. The court found that the trial judge, His Honour Judge Nicholas Rowland, had erred by not properly considering the age and vulnerability of the victims, nor the severe psychological harm inflicted upon them. Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr stated that had the offenders been adults, they would have faced sentences substantially in excess of 10 years.
During the original trial, Judge Rowland had acknowledged that the offences crossed the custody threshold but opted to spare the teenagers jail, citing a desire to avoid criminalizing them unnecessarily. However, the Attorney General's representative argued that this approach was fundamentally flawed and failed to adequately address the seriousness of the offending and the impact on the victims.
The mother of one of the victims expressed that the four-year sentences are still insufficient given the lifelong trauma her daughter will endure. "How could any mother be happy with four years? Jazmine is going to live with a lifetime of trauma, and she's going to live with a lifetime sentence," she said. "Of course, it's not enough, but it's more than we had... So, I have to be grateful."
The families of both victims stated they were grateful and relieved by the Court of Appeal's decision, which they believe brings a greater sense of justice and accountability. They expressed hope that the outcome would reassure other victims that their voices matter and that the justice system can correct inadequate sentences.
Parts of the assaults were filmed on the boys' mobile phones. X and Y were also handed lifelong restraining orders prohibiting them from contacting their victims. The Court of Appeal also criticized the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for issuing a press release that inaccurately stated a knife was used in one of the rapes, demanding an explanation for the error and steps to prevent future mistakes. A CPS spokesperson acknowledged the error and stated that lessons would be learned.