Court of Appeal imposes four-year detention terms on two 15-year-old boys

The Court of Appeal has ordered four-year detention terms for two 15-year-old boys convicted of sexually assaulting two girls in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. The decision replaces earlier non-custodial sentences that a lower court had imposed in May. The victims were 14 and 15 at the time of the separate attacks, which occurred in November 2024 and January 2025.

Parts of both assaults were filmed, and a third defendant, now 14, was convicted of encouraging and recording the second incident.

Background of the case At Southampton Crown Court, the two boys received youth rehabilitation orders despite facing ten rape charges and seven indecent-image offences. The sentencing judge stated the crimes crossed the custody threshold but sought to avoid unnecessary criminalisation of the defendants.

The attorney-general referred the sentences under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. Appellate judges concluded the original terms undervalued the seriousness of the offences and the harm caused to the complainants.

Family and court responses The mother of one victim, identified as Jazmine, told The Times the outcome was an improvement but remained insufficient. She noted particular relief that the restraining orders against the two boys were extended from ten years to indefinite duration.

The family of the second victim stated that while no sentence can undo the trauma, the new terms provide a greater sense that justice has been served. Both convicted boys are pursuing appeals against their convictions. The family of the first victim has established a foundation called Stronger Than Silence to support other victims.

The father called for a review of judicial training and cited a perceived lack of judicial accountability.