UK Law Officers to Review Sentences of Three Teenagers Convicted of Rape

The attorney general’s office announced it will conduct an urgent review of sentences handed to three teenagers convicted of rape at Southampton Crown Court. The boys, aged between 13 and 14 at the time of the offences, were convicted of 11 counts of rape after sexually assaulting two teenage girls on November 26, 2024 and January 17, 2025.

The court heard that the defendants filmed the attacks on their phones and shared the footage online.

Each defendant received a youth rehabilitation order instead of a custodial sentence. The two older boys were given three-year orders with 180 days of intensive surveillance and supervision; the younger boy received an 18-month order. Judge Nicholas Rowland stated during sentencing that the court should avoid criminalising the children unnecessarily and should support their reintegration into society, citing their young age and low intelligence.

Shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan and safeguarding minister Alicia Kearns referred the case to Lord Hermer under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Lord Hermer said law officers are reviewing the sentences with utmost care and will decide within 28 days whether to refer the matter to the Court of Appeal.

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves is also participating in the review. Hampshire Police Detective Sergeant Naomi Stocker said officers are liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the sentence. Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips stated that the outcome appears unduly lenient and sends a wider message about the justice system.