Three teenage boys involved in the rape of two girls in Fordingbridge, who were spared jail, were labeled as posing a “high risk of serious harm” to young females by a judge during sentencing. The judge, Nicholas Rowland, determined that their offenses had met the criteria for custodial sentences at Southampton Crown Court.
The sentences of the boys, who escaped jail time, have been escalated to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentences (ULS) scheme following public outcry over the case. The incidents, which occurred in 2024 and 2025, involved the brazen filming of assaults on phones by the boys, who were seen laughing and goading each other.
In response to the uproar, Attorney General Lord Hermer, highlighting the prevailing violence against women and girls, initiated a review of the distressing case. The sentencing remarks of the two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old by Judge Rowland have now been made public.
One of the 15-year-olds received a three-year youth rehabilitation order (YRO) with strict supervision for the rape and indecent image charges involving the two girls. The second 15-year-old was similarly sentenced for multiple rape charges and indecent image offenses related to the incidents.
The youngest, a 14-year-old who was 13 at the time, was handed an 18-month YRO for his role in the second incident, which included encouraging the second defendant and an indecent image offense.
Judge Rowland justified his decision not to impose immediate custody by citing the guidelines on youth offenders, emphasizing the importance of preventing reoffending and considering the well-being of the children. Despite acknowledging the boys’ risk of serious harm to females, he took into account their individual backgrounds and previous curfew and accommodation sentences.
The judge underscored the need for rehabilitation and minimizing the risk of further offenses, opting for YROs as the most effective path. He noted the boys’ immaturity, peer pressure influences, and the potential for behavioral change through addressing their actions and learning from mistakes.
