The sentences of boys spared custody over the rape of two girls in Hampshire will be referred to the Court of Appeal, the prime minister has said.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “There are questions about the sentence. The attorney general has power to refer a case to the Court of Appeal” if they thought the sentence is too lenient, adding that power had been “now exercised” which was “clearly the right outcome”.
Two girls, then aged 15 and 14, were raped in separate incidents in Fordingbridge in November 2024 and January 2025, by two 14-year-olds. Another boy, then 13, was also convicted for his involvement in the second attack.
The attorney general, Lord Hemer said: “There is an epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country, and this government will not hesitate in taking action.”
