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UK judge gives youth orders to three teens convicted of raping two girls
A Southampton Crown Court judge sentenced three boys aged 14 and 15 to youth rehabilitation orders instead of custody after they were convicted of multiple rapes. One victim, now 16, told the BBC the decision felt like a “rock straight in my face.” The attorney general is reviewing the sentences under the unduly lenient scheme.
May 24, 5:42 AM·2m read3 sources
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A Southampton Crown Court judge on Thursday sentenced three teenage boys convicted of raping two girls to youth rehabilitation orders rather than custody. The first attack occurred on 26 November 2024 in an underpass beside the River Avon in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. The second attack took place on 17 January 2025 in a field near Fordingbridge recreation ground.
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Both incidents were filmed and footage was later shared online.
“The words hit like a rock straight in my face." — Victim, 16, speaking to BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg The first 15-year-old defendant received a three-year youth rehabilitation order with 180 days of intensive supervision and surveillance for two counts of rape and two indecent-images charges. The court heard he had been diagnosed with ADHD and long-standing anxiety. The second 15-year-old received the same three-year order for three counts of rape against each victim and four indecent-images counts. He was described as having an IQ in the bottom 1 percent of his age group and also had an ADHD diagnosis. The third defendant, now 14, was given an 18-month youth rehabilitation order for encouraging one of the rapes in the January incident and for an indecent-images offence. He was described as having mild cognitive impairment. Judge Nicholas Rowland told the defendants he had to remember they were “not small adults” and that the goal was to avoid “criminalising these children unnecessarily” while supporting their reintegration.”
