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Teen rapists spared jail partly because of intellectual limitations, judge's full remarks show
The judge cited rehabilitation and intellectual impairments, and the three boys’ sentences are now under Court of Appeal review.
Three teenage boys convicted of 10 counts of rape received youth rehabilitation orders last month by Judge Nicholas Rowland at Southampton Crown Court, with their sentences now under review by the Court of Appeal following public outcry.
The Fordingbridge, Hampshire assaults occurred in 2024 and 2025, with prosecutors stating the attacks were 'brazenly filmed' on mobile phones and showed the boys laughing and encouraging each other.
Judge Rowland cited defendants' 'very low intellectual capacity' and 'extreme neurological impairment' in sentencing remarks, stating he wanted to 'avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily' while prioritizing rehabilitation over custody.
Attorney General Lord Hermer warned of 'an epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country' after Sir Keir Starmer announced the 'distressing' case would be referred for review.
The boys returned to their community under strict monitoring with 180 days of intensive supervision, but the Court of Appeal is now reviewing whether the original sentences were unduly lenient under the ULS scheme.