Victim’s parents say teen rapists’ new sentences ‘don’t change the fear’ daughter feels
The family of one of two girls raped by teenage boys in Fordingbridge has said the increase in sentences for her attackers “does not change the fear” she feels.
Jazmine (not her real name) was attacked by two then-14-year-old boys in a Hampshire town in November 2024.
The children, known as
Jazmine’s parents said she felt “so overwhelmed and re-traumatised by everything” and that she “couldn’t process it yet”.
They said: “He knows they’re going to prison. That doesn’t make him feel any more free in his own territory right now.”
“That doesn’t change the fear right now. That needs to be understood and he needs to process that.”
They also said that they had not yet been told how long X and Y would remain in custody before being released, taking into account the time spent due to curfew.
After raping Jazmine, X and Y raped a second victim in January 2025, with the encouragement of a third child known as Z.
Z, then 13 and now 14, also was relieved of custody in May; Judge Nicholas Rowland stated that he “must avoid needlessly criminalizing these children” and that detention was a “last resort”.
The attorney general referred the case to the Court of Appeal days later and on Thursday three senior judges found that Judge Rowland had “erred in his assessment of the seriousness of the offenses” and that the sentences imposed on X and Y were “unduly lenient”.
Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Edis and Mrs Justice Norton, said in her judgment that the crimes committed by X and Y were “so serious that a serious prison sentence is inevitable even for very young offenders such as this”.
The senior judge added that the rape of the two girls was “very likely to have long-term and profound consequences, not all of which are immediately obvious”.
Z’s sentence, an 18-month youth rehabilitation order, remained unchanged after the Court of Appeal refused to increase the sentence on the grounds that it was “not appropriate and unduly lenient”.
Baroness Carr said the children were appealing against their convictions, adding that any appeals would be “decided separately”.
Speaking after the verdict, Jazmine’s parents said that “punishment will never be enough”, that the Court of Appeal should not be needed to provide “proper justice”, and that this should be “done right the first time, every time”.
They said, “You raped my daughter. No matter how long you spend in custody, it will not be enough to stop the pain and suffering you caused.”
They also questioned why the sentences for each rape were not consecutive, adding: “Two separate crimes, on separate days, on separate occasions, months apart. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be consecutive.”
In a victim personal statement submitted to the Court of Appeal, Jazmine said the sentencing hearing in May left her feeling “invisible and unimportant” and that she felt “let down, disappointed and confused” by the criminal justice system.
She said: “In some ways I feel like a little kid again, but also like I’ve had to deal with things that are very adult and very scary.
“I feel stuck between being a child who needs help and being expected to move on as a young adult. It’s confusing and exhausting. I feel like I don’t belong.”
“I don’t belong at school because I feel different from everyone else. I don’t belong outside because I don’t feel safe.”
“I don’t belong in my body because it makes me sick. I don’t belong in my old life because that person feels gone.”
“I don’t know where I should fit in anymore.”
While the family says their goals for the future are to “survive” and “rebuild,” they continue to develop the Stronger than Silence foundation to give other victims of sexual violence “a place to know that they don’t have to be silent, they don’t have to be ashamed.”
They continued: “I can’t think of anything more important, because if we stay silent, nothing will change. We can’t live in a world where sexual assault, sexual violence, is ignored as if it’s not something serious.”
“For the sake of all girls and women who have experienced sexual violence in any form, we must speak out and talk about it.”
They added: “We don’t just want to help with grants for respite care, therapy, education, etc. We want to help campaign, lobby, and make sure we fight for change.”
They also said: “Now is our time to stand up not just for Jazmine, but for survivors past and future.
“We understand that we will not live in a world without sexual violence. We simply need to live in a world where there is support, guidance and understanding for survivors.”
Jazmine’s parents also said they had no animosity towards the boys but urged them to “use their time wisely” while serving their sentences.
They said: “Take the opportunity in custody to really start to rehabilitate, because everyone should be given the opportunity to rehabilitate, but in this case rehabilitation alone was not the solution.”
Rape Crisis offers support to those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them in England and Wales on 0808 802 9999, in Scotland on 0808 801 0302 and in Northern Ireland on 0800 0246 991 or visit their website at: www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you’re in the US, you can call Rainn at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
