Three teenage boys who were found guilty of raping two girls in the UK have avoided jail time, which has left rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot deeply shocked. The incidents occurred in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, with the first attack taking place on November 26, 2024, and the second on January 17, 2025. In the first assault, a 15-year-old girl was raped by two 14-year-old boys, while in the second incident, two boys raped a 14-year-old girl, with one filming the assault and encouraging the rape.
Instead of receiving custodial sentences, the three boys were given youth rehabilitation orders (YRO), and the older pair were placed under intensive supervision and surveillance (ISS). Pelicot expressed her dismay at the boys being free while their victims continue to suffer, emphasizing the importance of justice in recognizing and punishing such crimes.
Pelicot, known for her involvement in a high-profile rape trial in France, stressed the significance of justice in addressing crimes like rape, acknowledging the pain endured by victims and the necessity of holding perpetrators accountable. One of the victims, now 16 years old, expressed her disappointment at the leniency of the sentence, questioning the purpose of her ordeal through court proceedings.
Reflecting on her own experience, Pelicot commended the courage of the young woman who came forward after the attack, acknowledging the difficulty of such decisions. The decision to avoid sending the teenage boys to prison was based on the UK’s practice of housing individuals under 18 in secure centers designed for children.
Leaders, including Keir Starmer and Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, condemned the verdict, offering support to the victims’ families if they choose to appeal. Judge Nicholas Rowland, who delivered the sentences at Southampton Crown Court, emphasized the need to consider the defendants’ age and the potential for rehabilitation, aiming to prevent further serious offenses.
The Attorney General’s office confirmed receiving multiple requests to review the sentences under the Unduly Lenient Scheme, with a decision on potential appeals to be made within 28 days.
