politics
Court of Appeal increases sentences for two boys but upholds order for third in Hampshire rape case
A panel led by Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr ruled the original non-custodial sentences unduly lenient and ordered detention for the two 15-year-old offenders. The third boy, aged 14, retained his 18-month youth rehabilitation order. The attacks occurred in Fordingbridge in November 2024 and January 2025.
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The Court of Appeal on Thursday sentenced two 15-year-old boys to four years in youth detention for raping and filming sex attacks on teenage girls in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. The panel, led by Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, ruled the original non-custodial sentences unduly lenient and quashed a three-year youth rehabilitation order with 180 days of intensive supervision.
” The boys appeared via videolink from Southampton Crown Court.
The court upheld the 18-month youth rehabilitation order for a third boy, referred to as Z and aged 14. Baroness Carr told Z that his limited involvement on one occasion and young age meant no change was required. The three boys faced 10 counts of rape and seven indecent image offences stemming from attacks in November 2024 and January 2025.
Judge Nicholas Rowland had imposed the original sentences at Southampton Crown Court in May. Attorney General Lord Hermer referred the case after the initial outcome. Tom Little KC argued on Wednesday that the original assessment of harm and culpability was flawed and that a community sentence could not be justified.
