A court’s sentencing of three teenage boys who raped two girls and filmed the attacks without being jailed has drawn criticism from Donna Jones, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Jones expressed concern over the boys’ ability to carry out such “terrifying acts” without facing imprisonment.
The incidents occurred in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, with the first rape on November 26, 2024, and the second on January 17, 2025. The three boys, aged 14 and 15, received youth rehabilitation orders (YRO) and intensive supervision and surveillance (ISS) but were not imprisoned.
Jones offered support to the victims’ families if they decide to challenge the sentences, emphasizing the need for educating youth on sexual violence prevention. The sentences were criticized for focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, with Jones deeming them too lenient and lacking comfort for the victims.
One 15-year-old boy received a three-year YRO with ISS for each rape and indecent images charges, citing ADHD and anxiety diagnoses. Another 15-year-old received a similar sentence for multiple rape charges and indecent image offenses, with an IQ in the bottom 1% of peers and ADHD diagnosis. The 14-year-old boy was given an 18-month YRO for rape charges and encouraging the other defendant, with mild cognitive impairment.
The judge emphasized the boys’ rehabilitation and avoiding unnecessary criminalization, considering peer pressure in the incidents. The victims’ impact statements highlighted the emotional toll of the assaults, with one girl expressing her loss of innocence and the other describing anxiety and emotional exhaustion.
The bravery of the girls in providing statements and evidence was praised by the judge, who acknowledged that the sentence could not undo the trauma. The boys were also placed under curfew and restraining orders not to contact the victims.
Prosecutors detailed the assaults, including the filming and circulation of videos, emphasizing the importance of educating youth on consent and addressing harmful attitudes to prevent such crimes.
