UK judge gives youth orders to three teens convicted of raping two girls

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.”

“I should avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily and understand the effects of their behaviour and support their reintegration into society." — Judge Nicholas Rowland, Southampton Crown Court The victims’ families and Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones have asked the attorney general to review the sentences under the unduly lenient scheme. A government spokesperson confirmed multiple requests have been received and said the law officers are reviewing the case urgently. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones told the BBC the girls “deserve justice” and that other boys “need to know that they can’t behave in that way and get away with it.” The attorney general has 28 days to decide whether to refer the sentences to the Court of Appeal.”