Two teenage boys aged 15 were convicted of raping two girls aged 14 and 15 in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, occurring in November 2024 and January 2025 [1, 2, 3]. A third boy aged 14 was found guilty of encouraging one of the rapes and possessing indecent images related to the case [1, 2, 3].

The assaults were recorded on mobile phones, and the videos circulated online, leading to harassment of the victims [1, 2, 3]. The first attack happened on November 26, 2024, involving a 15-year-old girl, while the second occurred on January 17, 2025, involving a 14-year-old victim [1, 2, 3].

At Southampton Crown Court in May 2026, the two 15-year-olds received three-year Youth Rehabilitation Orders with 180 days of supervision and surveillance each, while the 14-year-old got an eighteen-month Youth Rehabilitation Order [1, 2, 3]. Judge Nicholas Rowland stressed that the defendants are children and not adults, saying, "I have to remember that you are not small adults," and that peer pressure played a large role in the offences [1, 2].

The victims and their families harshly criticized the sentences as inadequate and harmful. One victim said, "What was the point in putting me through that?" and added, "It almost made it seem as if what the boys did was not OK, but it was OK in the eyes of the law because they were still children." She also questioned the trauma of the court process, asking, "Why did I sit and put myself through the pain of going to court, going through a trial, reliving everything because of evidence and watching it all happen again?" [2]. Her mother pleaded publicly, "Please help. If it was your daughter, your niece, your son, your nephew, your family member, would you be happy?" [2].

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the sentences "appalling" and praised the victims for their "extraordinary bravery" [3]. The Attorney General's office announced it is reviewing the sentences under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for possible referral to the Court of Appeal [1, 3].

The victim had waited six months before reporting the assault due to trauma and fear [2]. The judge noted the significant influence of peer pressure on the defendants [2].

The Court of Appeal review is ongoing following the public outcry, with a final decision expected in the coming months.