Court of appeal to review rape sentences of teenage boys

The boys, two of whom were 15 and one aged 14 at the time of sentencing, were handed non-custodial sentences, meaning they were spared from prison.

The decision caused a stir, with notable feminist voice and rape victim Gisèle Pelicot saying she was "deeply shocked that these individuals were in fact able to gain their freedom again when in fact the victims are suffering so hard they will never be able to heal".

Now, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the court of appeal will review the sentence which gave the three boys youth rehabilitation orders.

Former minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, MP Jess Phillips, claimed the sentences were “unduly lenient” and sent a “bad message”.

Meanwhile, one of the victims said the outcome felt like a “rock straight in my face”.

The sentences relate to the rape of two girls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January 2025.

In the first attack a 15-year-old girl was raped by two of the defendants, both aged 14 at the time.

In the second attack, the three boys threatened a 14-year-old girl with a knife and two of them took it in turns to rape her while the others encouraged and filmed the offending.

Keir Starmer said the case was “really distressing” and that the courage of the girls who came forward about it was humbling.

“I think it’s distressing for everybody to see, to hear about,” he said.

“The courage, frankly, of the girls to come forward is humbling, but it is distressing. I find it distressing as a politician. I find it distressing as a father.”