Dominic Grieve, a former attorney general, has suggested that the non-custodial sentences handed to three teenage boys for raping two girls in Hampshire are 'unusual' and could be reviewed. He stated that people are 'perfectly entitled' to ask the current attorney general, Richard Hermer, to examine the sentences imposed by the judge.
The Attacks and Sentences
The two girls were raped 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 assault, the three boys threatened a 14-year-old girl with a knife; two of them raped her while the others encouraged the offending and filmed the assaults.
Two 15-year-old boys were sentenced to three-year youth rehabilitation orders with intensive supervision and surveillance (ISS). The third boy, aged 14, received an 18-month youth rehabilitation order. None were sent to prison.
Reactions and Concerns
Grieve told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the goal of rehabilitating offenders, particularly younger ones, must be balanced with providing deterrence. He acknowledged that the decision was 'certainly unusual' given the seriousness of the offences, but noted that the judge could justify departing from sentencing guidelines due to the young age of the offenders.
Charlotte Proudman, a leading barrister specialising in violence against women and girls, said non-custodial sentences risk sending the wrong message to victims of sexual violence. She highlighted the trauma of rape trials, where the boys attempted to portray their victims as liars, and questioned why women and girls would report such crimes if perpetrators face no prison time.
Proudman added that the criminal justice system appears 'not fit for purpose' and seems to protect the future of bullies rather than addressing the harm caused to girls.
