Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described as “appalling” a court case in which three teenage boys convicted of raping two girls were spared custodial sentences.The offences took place in Hampshire between November 2024 and January 2025, involving two victims aged 15 and 14 at the time.The assaults were committed by two boys aged 14, with a third boy, aged 13 at the time, found guilty of involvement in the second attack.

Despite the seriousness of the crimes, Southampton Crown Court imposed Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YROs), which are community-based sentences for children that can include supervision, curfews, treatment programmes and unpaid work, rather than detention in a secure facility.

The sentencing judge, Nicholas Rowland, stated he aimed to avoid unnecessarily criminalising the children, although he acknowledged the gravity of the offences, particularly noting that the assaults had been filmed and shared.

The decision has triggered significant public and political reaction, with the Attorney General now reviewing whether the sentences should be referred to the Court of Appeal.Sir Keir Starmer said the victims had shown extraordinary bravery and that the case was rightly under urgent review by law officers.

One of the victims, now 16, told the BBC she felt the decision was deeply upsetting and described it as diminishing the severity of what had happened.She and her family have called for custodial sentences, arguing the punishment was insufficient.Senior government figures, including ministers and MPs from several parties, have also criticised the outcome and called for swift action.

The Attorney General has up to 28 days to decide whether to escalate the case, though officials have indicated the matter may be treated with urgency.The case has intensified debate over youth sentencing and how the justice system balances rehabilitation with punishment in serious sexual offences.