Key Facts

• Three teenage boys, two aged 15 and one aged 14, were sentenced for raping two girls in separate incidents in Hampshire in late 2024 and early 2025.
• The boys received youth rehabilitation orders and intensive supervision instead of prison, aiming to avoid unnecessary criminalization and support reintegration.
• The decision caused public backlash, with officials and victims calling the sentences too light and sending a bad message.
• The attorney general referred the case to the court of appeal to review whether the sentences were appropriate.
• One of the victims said the sentences felt like a “rock straight in my face.”
• The boys had various diagnoses, including ADHD, anxiety, low IQ, and mild cognitive impairment, which were considered in sentencing.
• The prime minister and other officials expressed distress at the crimes and praised the victims for their courage.
• Hampshire police and crime commissioner said the sentences were far too lenient.