Two British teenagers convicted of rape have been ordered to serve youth detention sentences following an appeal prompted by public outcry over their original non-custodial punishments. The Court of Appeal in London ruled on Thursday that the 15-year-olds must serve four years in youth detention, overturning earlier youth rehabilitation orders previously imposed.
The original sentences, handed down in May by Hampshire judge Nicholas Rowland, had seen both boys receive three-year youth rehabilitation orders after they were found guilty of raping two girls aged 14 and 15 in separate incidents that occurred in November 2024 and January 2025. Judge Rowland described his decision as an effort to avoid “criminalising these children unnecessarily.” However, the decision was met with significant criticism from the public and legal authorities.
Attorney General Richard Hermer, the UK government’s chief legal adviser, referred the sentences to the Court of Appeal on grounds that they appeared to be “unduly lenient.” The appeal hearing was held after undisclosed video footage related to the attacks circulated online, further intensifying public concern.
Judge Sue Carr, presiding over the appeal, quashed the original non-custodial sentences and emphasized the gravity of the offenses. Speaking by video link to the defendants, she stated, “What you did was so bad that we have no other choice.” The court’s ruling mandated that both teenagers serve four years in youth detention.
A third defendant, also convicted of rape charges for encouraging one of the perpetrators, had initially received a non-custodial sentence, which the Court of Appeal allowed to stand. This decision indicates a nuanced approach in assessing the involvement and culpability of the individuals concerned.
Families of the victims welcomed the appeal court’s verdict. One family expressed that while the trauma experienced by their loved ones could not be undone, the ruling brought a measure of justice and accountability for the crimes committed.
The ruling highlights ongoing tensions in the justice system regarding sentencing for juvenile offenders in serious sexual crimes, balancing rehabilitation against public demands for accountability and community protection.