Court of Appeal to review teenagers’ rape sentences after outrage, Starmer says
Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the sentences of two teenage boys who escaped prison after raping two girls will go to the Court of Appeal after being reviewed by the Attorney General for being too lenient.
The girls were raped on two separate occasions in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, a hearing at Southampton Crown Court heard. The first attack took place on November 26, 2024, and the second on January 17, 2025.
The boys, both aged 15, were given a youth rehabilitation order (YRO) and were subject to intensive supervision and supervision (ISS).
The prime minister said he found the case “regrettable as a father” and said the decision to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, the second highest court in England and Wales, was “clearly the right outcome”.
“There are questions about the sentence. If the Attorney General thinks that the sentence is too light, the Attorney General has the authority to refer the case to the court of appeal. The Attorney General now uses this authority,” he said.
“I can therefore announce that the case will now go to the Court of Appeal… and that is clearly the correct outcome.”
Sir Keir said the rape case in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in which two teenage boys escaped prison, was “truly distressing” and the bravery of the girls who came forward was “humbling”.
“I think this is a really sad case. I think it’s sad for everyone to see and hear.
“The courage of the girls to come forward is frankly humbling but saddening. As a politician, I find it saddening. As a father, I find it saddening.”
His comments came after government minister Darren Jones broke down in tears at the weekend as he argued the two girls “deserved justice”.
The Prime Minister’s secretary general became emotional when he heard the testimony of one of the victims on Sunday; In this statement, he said that the judge’s decision not to give prison sentences to his attackers was “like a stone standing in his face”.
Asked for his thoughts on the case, Mr Jones told the BBC: “As a minister I cannot override the attorney general’s decision, but look, you can guess what my personal view is on the situation as a parent and a member of the public.”
Asked what his view was, a visibly emotional Mr Jones said: “These girls, like their families, deserve justice for themselves and the other girls who have been put in this situation.
“And frankly, other kids need to know that they can’t act that way and get away with it.”
Meanwhile, rape victim Gisèle Pelicot said she was “deeply shocked” that young boys had escaped prison time.
A 73-year-old French woman testified against her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who repeatedly drugged her and invited dozens of men to rape her, in a case that shocked both France and the world.
Ms Pelicot, who declined to give her name, “saluted the strength” of one of the girls who spoke out after the attack.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ms Pelicot said she was “deeply shocked that these individuals were actually able to regain their freedom while the victims suffered so much that they may never recover”.
He added that he hopes his own story “will help him make that decision.”
On Tuesday, Sarah Owen MP, chair of the women and equalities committee, said: Independent “Not only should the harrowing case be reviewed as quickly as possible, but the process that allowed the boys to be found guilty of rape, videotaped and shared, and released with a non-custodial sentence should also be allowed,” he said.
“This is not what justice looks like for victims of rape and sexual assault. Since very few rape cases reach the court, this tolerance also sends a very dangerous message to perpetrators of sexual violence,” he added.
She said it was “heartbreaking” that the girls had to suffer to have a judge who was “more interested in the future of the rapists than the victims.”
Meanwhile, former victims minister Jess Phillips said she thought it was right for the case to be reviewed, adding: “This is important not only for the sake of justice in these cases, but also for the message it sends to both boys and girls more broadly.”
“I also think this case highlights how important early intervention is for children who continue to commit these crimes, and the need for regulation around social media and the safety of the devices every parent buys for their 10-year-old child.”
