The Court of Appeal heard arguments on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, that a sentencing judge failed to recognize the true seriousness of crimes committed by three teenage boys in Fordingbridge, Hampshire.
Attorney General Lord Hermer referred the non-custodial sentences as 'unduly lenient' following public outcry over the May rulings at Southampton Crown Court.
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Sentences Under Scrutiny
Two 15-year-old boys and one 14-year-old boy had received youth rehabilitation orders for a combined 10 counts of rape and seven indecent image offences.
The attacks occurred in November 2024 and January 2025.
Representing the Attorney General, Tom Little KC argued that lengthy detention was the only appropriate sentence.
'Had the judge properly assessed the seriousness of the offences he could only reasonably have concluded that lengthy sentences of detention were required,' Little stated.
Little accused the judge of applying outdated standards by reducing culpability based on previous consensual sexual activity with the victims.
The two 15-year-old boys received three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision, while the 14-year-old received an 18-month order.
Victim's Family Speaks Out
The family of one victim, using the pseudonym Jazmine, expressed distress over having to take the case to one of the nation's highest courts.
'Today's hearing is about far more than Jazmine's case.
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It is about every survivor watching to see how the criminal justice system responds to the devastating harm caused by rape,' the family stated.
Jazmine described the five-and-a-half-week trial as deeply traumatizing.
'The trial was horrific. It was not just difficult; it was traumatising.
It made me relive what happened again and again,' she said.
She recalled the humiliation of defense arguments implying she wanted or chose the assaults.
Defending the original sentence, Clare Wade KC argued that the community-based youth rehabilitation order offered the most effective way to prevent future offending.
Edward Henry KC, representing Y, noted that his client had become a target of intense public hatred due to widespread misinformation.
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The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision.
