Teenage Rape Victims Denounce Judge's Non-Custodial Sentences in Fordingbridge Case
A 16-year-old girl, who was raped by two teenage boys in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, has spoken out against the judge's decision to hand down non-custodial sentences. She stated the ruling felt like a 'rock straight in my face', questioning the purpose of enduring the trial process only for her attackers to avoid incarceration.
The victim, who was 15 at the time of the November 2024 assault near the River Avon, met one of the boys via Snapchat. Both defendants, now aged 15, were also convicted of raping a second victim in January 2025, with a third boy, now 14, also implicated in the second attack. The perpetrators filmed the assaults and subsequently shared footage online.
At Southampton Crown Court, Judge Nicholas Rowland acknowledged the 'seriousness' of the crimes, particularly the filming of the assaults, but stated a desire to avoid 'criminalising' the 'very young' boys. The girl and her family view these sentences as a 'slap on the wrist', contending they undermine the gravity of the offences and the suffering of the victims.
The Attorney General has initiated an urgent review of the sentences, holding a 28-day window to determine whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal. The victim's mother has directly appealed to the Prime Minister, calling for intervention and highlighting the perceived injustice.
One 15-year-old received a three-year youth rehabilitation order (YRO) with 180 days of intensive supervision for two counts of rape and two indecent images charges. The other 15-year-old received an identical sentence for three counts of rape and four counts of taking indecent images. The 14-year-old received an 18-month YRO for encouraging rape in the January 2025 attack.
A government spokesperson confirmed an urgent review of the case, expressing 'shock' at the details and conveying thoughts to the victims.
