CCRC to take ‘steps’ in cases of Fordingbridge teenage rapists who originally escaped jail
Investigation into sentencing of three teenage rapists expected
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has been asked to take “steps” in the cases of three teenage boys who were originally spared custody over the rape of two girls in Hampshire.
Two 15-year-old boys, known as X and Y, and another aged 14 known as Z, were previously given non-custodial sentences in May for a combined 10 counts of rape and seven indecent image offences related to two victims, who were separately attacked in Fordingbridge in November 2024 and January 2025.
At the Court of Appeal earlier this month, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis and Ms Justice Norton sentenced X and Y to four years’ detention, while leaving Z’s sentence unchanged. Baroness Carr said in her ruling on July 2 that the boys were pursuing appeals against their convictions.
At a short hearing on Tuesday, three judges at the Court of Appeal ruled that the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) should investigate matters that could be relevant to the conviction appeals, including potentially the actions of some jurors.
Lord Justice Edis said: “The court has directed it should exercise its power… to direct the CCRC to carry out the steps set out in the draft order.”
The judge, sitting with Mr Justice Soole and Judge Usha Karu, said that the CCRC should report back to the Court of Appeal “for further directions”.
Lord Justice Edis later said that the court intended to “deal with the cases as ones that ought to be expedited”.
The boys were given non-custodial sentences in May after a judge at Southampton Crown Court said he should “avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily” and that detention was a “last resort”.
The two older boys were involved in both attacks while the 14-year-old encouraged the rape of the second victim.
In a summary of the decision to increase X and Y’s sentences, Baroness Carr said: “We have made this decision because we think that what you both did was so bad that we have no other choice.”
She added: “Even though you will not be in detention for the whole of the four-year sentence, we know that it will still be a long time for you to be away from your home and families.
“But what you both did was so bad that we decided that we had no other choice than to make these sentences.”
The families of the girls said they were “deeply grateful” and “relieved” after the decision to increase the sentences.
One family added: “We believe this was the correct decision, and we are thankful that our voices were heard throughout this process. While nothing can undo our family’s anguish, this outcome brings a greater sense of justice and accountability.”