Judge 'wrong' to spare rapists jail, court told
Key takeaways
- The Court of Appeal is considering whether the sentences given to three boys convicted of rape were unduly lenient.
- Tom Little KC, for the Attorney General, told the court: "it is submitted that the extent and nature of the offending was so serious such that the only appropriate sentence for [the boys] was detention".
- But lawyers for the boys argued the judge had approached sentencing correctly, giving the best chance of rehabilitation while protecting against future offending.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
The Court of Appeal is considering whether the sentences given to three boys convicted of rape were unduly lenient. A judge was "wrong" to pass community sentences on three boys convicted of raping two teenage girls in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, the Court of Appeal heard. The sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal as "unduly lenient" by Attorney General Lord Hermer.
Tom Little KC, for the Attorney General, told the court: "it is submitted that the extent and nature of the offending was so serious such that the only appropriate sentence for [the boys] was detention".
But lawyers for the boys argued the judge had approached sentencing correctly, giving the best chance of rehabilitation while protecting against future offending.