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Decision not to jail two teenagers for rape was wrong, court of appeal rules
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Decision not to jail two teenagers for rape was wrong, court of appeal rules

The Guardian · Jul 2, 2026, 1:11 PM · Also reported by 4 other sources

Key takeaways

  • The convictions relate to the rape of two girls in separate incidents in the town.
  • Prefer the Guardian on GoogleA judge’s decision not to give two teenage boys custodial sentences for the rape of two girls was wrong s, the court of appeal has ruled.
  • After a national outcry, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, referred the case to the court to consider whether the sentences given to the boys – identified only as X, Y and Z – were unduly lenient.

Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.

Fordingbridge in Hampshire. The convictions relate to the rape of two girls in separate incidents in the town. Photograph: Aerial Essex/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Fordingbridge in Hampshire. The convictions relate to the rape of two girls in separate incidents in the town. Photograph: Aerial Essex/Getty Images UK news Decision not to jail two teenagers for rape was wrong, court of appeal rules Trial judge found to have erred by giving boys youth rehabilitation orders for rape of two girls in Hampshire

Prefer the Guardian on GoogleA judge’s decision not to give two teenage boys custodial sentences for the rape of two girls was wrong s, the court of appeal has ruled.

After a national outcry, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, referred the case to the court to consider whether the sentences given to the boys – identified only as X, Y and Z – were unduly lenient.

Article preview — originally published by The Guardian. Full story at the source.
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