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Two British teenagers convicted of raping two girls have been ordered to serve four years' detention after the Court of Appeal ruled their original sentences were "unduly lenient."
The boys, identified only as X and Y, were 14 at the time of the attacks in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January 2025. They were convicted in May of raping both victims and of offences relating to indecent images recorded during the assaults. A third boy, Z, aged 13 at the time, was convicted of encouraging one of the rapes and of indecent image offences.
At Southampton Crown Court in May, all three were handed youth rehabilitation orders, sparking outrage among victims' families, campaigners and politicians. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the case as "appalling" and backed a review. Attorney General Richard Hermer referred the sentences to the Court of Appeal.
On Thursday, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr, sitting with two other judges, said the repeated offending by X and Y meant custody was unavoidable. "You both raped two girls on two different occasions. You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming what you did, which was a horrible thing to do," she told them.
Carr said their sentences would be reduced by time already spent in detention and under curfew, meaning they will serve half of the remaining term. Restraining orders preventing contact with their victims were extended to life, and both will be subject to police notification requirements indefinitely.
Z's sentence was not increased. Carr said that although his behaviour was "very bad," he was "very young" and had only been involved in one incident. He remains subject to an 18-month youth rehabilitation order.
Families of the victims said they were "deeply grateful" and "relieved" at the ruling. One statement read: "While nothing can undo our anguish, this outcome brings a greater sense of justice and accountability."
Hermer praised the victims' bravery in coming forward, while Carr criticised inaccurate reporting and commentary that followed the original sentencing, noting a Crown Prosecution Service press release had wrongly suggested knife-point rape.
