Two teenage boys, both aged 15 and from the traveller community, were spared jail time after being convicted of raping two schoolgirls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. The attacks occurred on November 26, 2024, and January 17, 2025, with the boys filming and sharing footage of the assaults. Judge Nicholas Rowland handed down youth rehabilitation orders (YROs) instead of custodial sentences, citing the defendants' young age and conduct during the trial.
Victims and officials condemn the decision
One of the victims, now 16, described the ruling as a 'rock straight in my face' in a BBC interview, questioning why she endured a trial if the perpetrators would not face jail. Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones stated the victims 'deserve justice' and called for an urgent review of the sentencing. The Attorney General has since referred the case for a sentencing review.
Judge's rationale and public backlash
Judge Rowland praised the boys for their behavior during the trial and expressed reluctance to 'criminalize' them unnecessarily. He cited 'peer pressure' and 'low intelligence' as factors in their actions. The decision has drawn criticism from politicians, including Reform UK's Robert Jenrick, who called for the sentences to be changed. The case has reignited debates over youth sentencing and the handling of sexual assault cases involving minors.