Boys convicted of rape get non-custodial sentences as judge says they should not be criminalised unnecessarily
Summary
Three teenage boys in Hampshire were convicted of rape and serious sexual offences against two teenage girls but were not sent to prison. The judge gave them youth rehabilitation orders instead, citing their young age, low intelligence, and the goal of helping them reintegrate into society.Key Facts
- The boys were aged 13 to 14 at the time of the crimes.
- They sexually assaulted two girls aged 14 and 15, in separate incidents two months apart.
- The assaults were recorded on mobile phones by the boys.
- The boys received youth rehabilitation orders lasting 18 months to three years, not prison sentences.
- One boy has very low IQ and ADHD; another has ADHD and anxiety; the third has mild cognitive impairment.
- The judge emphasized their youth, limited understanding of consent, and peer pressure as factors in the crimes.
- The victims experienced severe emotional and mental health effects, including nightmares and feelings of shame.
- The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the need for early education about consent to prevent youth-on-youth sexual offences.
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