Sentencing Overturned by Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has overturned the initial non-custodial sentences for two boys convicted of raping two teenage girls in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, and imposed four years' detention on each. The offenders, referred to as X and Y, had previously received Youth Rehabilitation Orders but will now serve custodial sentences following the appeal.
Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr addressed the boys, who participated via video link from Southampton Crown Court, stating that the court had "no other choice but to change these sentences." She explained that the trial judge, Judge Nicholas Rowland, had "erred in his assessment of the seriousness of the offences."
In a statement read after the hearing, the family of one of the victims expressed that "justice has finally been done."
One of the girls was raped in an underpass near the River Avon in Fordingbridge.
A third boy, referred to as Z, who was convicted of rape for filming one of the attacks, did not have his sentence altered.
The initial sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal after being described as "unduly lenient" by Attorney General Lord Hermer.
Due to their ages, all children involved have been granted anonymity.
Details of the Court's Decision
Lady Chief Justice Carr stated,
"Sentences of detention for X and Y were unavoidable."
She continued,
"You both raped two girls on two different occasions. You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming it."
Carr clarified that if the offenders had been adults, sentences exceeding 10 years would have been appropriate.
Both boys have already served 231 days under curfew, which will count towards their sentences, meaning they will not remain in detention for the full four years.
Additionally, the pair received lifelong restraining orders preventing contact with the victims.
It is understood that the offenders intend to appeal the updated sentencing.
Regarding Z, Carr remarked,
"What you did was also very bad. We have decided that because you were very young ... we do not need to change your sentence."
Victims' Families Respond
The second girl was 14 when she was raped in a field at Fordingbridge Recreation Ground.
Following the appeal ruling, barrister Charlotte Proudman read a statement from the family of victim C1, referred to as Jazmine (not her real name), describing their experience as "a nightmare that no family should ever have to endure."
The statement added,
"Today's judgement cannot erase what our daughter has suffered but it does acknowledge the seriousness of these offences."
Jazmine's own words were also shared:
"I feel like I am the one who has been sentenced, I feel like I am the one living in a prison even though I did nothing wrong. What happened to me has left me harmed so severely that I do not think I will ever be the same."
The family expressed gratitude to Laura Kuennesburg and the BBC for providing a platform to be heard, and to Attorney General Lord Hermer for promptly recognizing the need for the appeal.
The family of victim C2 described the original sentences as "devastating," stating,
"[They] left us feeling that the harm caused to our daughter had not been fully recognised. While no sentence can undo the trauma she has endured, today's decision gives us a greater sense that justice has been served and that those responsible have been held properly accountable. We are immensely proud of our daughter's courage and strength throughout this long and difficult process."
Case Background and Initial Sentencing
Warning: This story contains details some may find distressing.
At the time of the offences, X and Y were 14 years old, and Z was 13. Collectively, they were convicted of 10 rape offences.
When Judge Nicholas Rowland initially sentenced the boys at Southampton Crown Court in May, the decision sparked public outcry from the victims, their families, and politicians. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the case as "an appalling case."
Lady Chief Justice Carr acknowledged that Judge Rowland had conducted a "careful sentencing exercise" but found the non-custodial sentences for X and Y to be "unduly lenient" because they did not fully consider the psychological harm inflicted on the victims.
Judge Rowland had imposed three-year Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YRO) with 180 days of intensive surveillance and supervision for X and Y. Z, now 14, received an 18-month YRO.
All three boys were subject to a three-month curfew and a 10-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victims.
One victim, C1, was 15 when she was raped by X and Y in November 2024 at an underpass near a river in Fordingbridge, following some consensual sexual activity with X. Portions of the assault were filmed.
The second victim, C2, aged 14, was raped by X and Y in January 2025 in a recreation ground in Fordingbridge. Similar to the first case, some consensual sexual activity preceded the rape, and parts of the assault were filmed by Z.
During the appeal hearing, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr criticized the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for issuing an inaccurate press release suggesting a knife was involved in the rapes.
Official Reactions
Attorney General Richard Hermer KC welcomed the Court of Appeal's decision, stating,
"No one should have to endure what the victims went through, and I commend their bravery in coming forward and campaigning for justice. This government will continue to do everything it can to tackle violence against women and girls."
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones described the ruling as "an important acknowledgement of the seriousness and impact of these truly appalling crimes." She added,
"This outcome feels like a step towards restoring that balance. The girls can now start to rebuild their lives in the knowledge these young men are in detention. Life-long restraining orders should also offer them some comfort. Their futures and their road to recovery is, and always should be, central to criminal justice. Their powerful voices have helped ensure that this case received the attention and scrutiny it deserved."
Support is available for those affected by the issues raised in this story through BBC Action Line.
