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A third boy involved in filming one of the assaults, who was also convicted of rape, did not have his sentence altered following the appeal. The Attorney General, Lord Hermer, had referred the original sentences to the court, labeling them as “unduly lenient.” Due to their ages, all the children involved have been granted anonymity and are referred to only as X, Y, and Z.
During the appeal hearing, Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr stated that detention was unavoidable for offenders X and Y. She addressed them directly, saying, “You both raped two girls on two different occasions. You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming it.” Carr emphasized that if the boys were adults, their sentences would have exceeded ten years. Both offenders had already served 231 days under curfew, which counts toward their sentence, so they will not remain in detention for the full four years. In addition, the pair received lifelong restraining orders barring any contact with the victims. Regarding Z, Carr acknowledged the severity of his actions but noted that due to his young age, his sentence would remain unchanged.
Following the ruling, a statement was read by barrister Charlotte Proudman on behalf of the family of one victim, known as Jazmine (not her real name). They described their experience as “a nightmare that no family should ever have to endure,” adding that while the judgement could not undo the trauma, it recognized the gravity of the offenses. Jazmine herself expressed profound distress, stating, “I feel like I am the one who has been sentenced, I feel like I am the one living in a prison even though I did nothing wrong,” and shared that she was so deeply harmed, she doubted she would ever be the same. The family expressed gratitude to Laura Kuennesburg and the BBC for amplifying their voice, as well as to Lord Hermer for promptly pursuing the appeal. In response to their ordeal, they have established the Stronger Than Silence Foundation to support survivors of sexual violence and their families.
The family of the second victim, referred to as C2, described the original sentences as “devastating,” feeling the harm done to their daughter had not been fully acknowledged. However, they expressed that the updated ruling brought a greater sense of justice and proper accountability. They also praised their daughter’s resilience throughout the lengthy process. At the time of the offenses, X and Y were 14 years old, and Z was 13. All three were convicted of a total of ten rape offenses. Initial sentencing by Judge Nicholas Rowland at Southampton Crown Court in May resulted in outcry from the victims’ families and public figures. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the case “appalling.” Carr acknowledged that although Rowland conducted a “careful sentencing exercise,” the non-custodial sentences for X and Y failed to fully account for the psychological damage to the victims.
During sentencing, X and Y received three-year Youth Rehabilitation Orders with 180 days of intensive supervision, while Z was handed an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order. All three were also subjected to a three-month curfew and a ten-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victims. The assaults involved two girls: the first, then 15 years old, was raped by X and Y in November 2024 at a riverside underpass in Fordingbridge. Prior consensual sexual activity had occurred, but parts of the rape were filmed. The second girl, aged 14, was assaulted by X and Y in January 2025 at a local recreation ground, with some consensual activity preceding the rape. This time, Z filmed parts of the attack. During the appeal, Lady Chief Justice Carr criticized the Crown Prosecution Service for releasing an inaccurate statement that suggested a knife was used in the assaults.
Attorney General Richard Hermer KC welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision, condemning the crimes and praising the victims’ courage. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating violence against women and girls. Donna Jones, the police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, described the ruling as an important recognition of the severity and impact of the offenses, stating the outcome begins to restore balance and allows the victims to start rebuilding their lives knowing the offenders are detained. She also highlighted that the lifelong restraining orders may provide the victims some measure of comfort and that their needs must remain central to the criminal justice system. Jones acknowledged the victims’ powerful voices in ensuring proper scrutiny was given to the case
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