Court of Appeal considers sentences of three boys convicted of rapepublished at 13:25 BST
13:25 BST
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Senior judges at the Court of Appeal will this afternoon announce whether the sentences of three boys convicted of rape should change.
Two 15-year-olds were given non-custodial sentences after attacking two girls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire in 2024 and 2025.
The judge said he wanted to “avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily”.
A third boy, now aged 14, was also convicted at Southampton Crown Court for his involvement in the second attack, and was also given a non-custodial sentence.
The sentences led to a public outcry, and were referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, as “unduly lenient”.
A two-day hearing began yesterday at the Royal Courts of Justice.
After 14:00 BST, the judges will announce their decision. Our reporters in court will bring you that when it happens – you’ll also be able to watch the judges’ reasoning in our stream, after the decision is announced.