Girl raped by boys spared jail tells BBC judge's decision was like 'rock in my face'

A 16-year-old girl who was raped by boys in Hampshire has spoken out after the judge spared the perpetrators from jail, describing the decision as "a rock straight in my face." The girl, who was 15 at the time of the attack, said the sentencing made it seem as though the boys’ actions were acceptable in the eyes of the law because of their age. The two boys, both now 15, were convicted of raping the girl in an underpass and also convicted of attacking a second victim in a separate incident. A third boy, aged 14, was convicted for his involvement in the second attack. The assaults were filmed by the boys and some footage was shared online. The judge at Southampton Crown Court acknowledged the seriousness of the crimes, highlighting that the filming of the assaults compounded their gravity. However, he opted for youth rehabilitation orders rather than custodial sentences, citing the defendants’ young age and their behavior during the trial. This decision has been met with strong criticism from the victim and her family, who argue that the sentences are insufficient and amount to a "slap on the wrist." The girl expressed frustration over the ordeal of reliving the trauma during the trial, questioning the point of enduring the process if the perpetrators would not face jail time. The attorney general has announced a review of the sentences, emphasizing the need to balance avoiding criminalizing very young offenders with delivering justice. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the girl’s testimony as "harrowing and brave" and called the case "appalling," supporting the urgent review of the sentences by law officers. The case has sparked wider debate about how the justice system handles serious crimes committed by minors and the impact of such decisions on victims’ recovery and public confidence in the legal process. The girl revealed it took six months before she felt able to speak out about the attack, citing her mental health struggles and need for help. Since the assault, she has faced ongoing emotional challenges, including sadness, anger, stress, and the difficulty of trying to rebuild her life while coping with the trauma. The case underscores the complex issues surrounding youth crime, victim support, and sentencing in cases of sexual violence.