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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think these boys should have been incarcerated?

863 replies

newrubylane · 21/05/2026 14:06

BBC News - Teenage boys sentenced for raping lone girls
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clypg68e2neo

I've never started an AIBU before, but I'm genuinely really shocked. I'm just not sure how this sentence is justifiable. Their actions were premeditated and deliberate, they were carrying a knife and they filmed themselves. They're obviously a danger to women/girls, and probably to other boys too.

If anyone knows how and why this sentence might have come about, I'd be interested to hear it.

A footpath beside a river, leading under a road bridge

Teenage boys sentenced for raping lone girls in Fordingbridge

The boys filmed themselves laughing and encouraging each other as they raped girls in separate attacks.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clypg68e2neo

OP posts:
Thread gallery
40
IMustDoMoreExercise · 21/05/2026 17:30

professionalcommentreader · 21/05/2026 14:26

I have complained, you can do the same, it’s not acceptable

Edited

Thanks, what is the case number please.

Mirabella7 · 21/05/2026 17:31

The judge didn’t want to “criminalise”the boys. I would’ve thought it was a bit too late to think like that! They were old enough to know what they were doing. They are criminals!

EstherGreenwood63 · 21/05/2026 17:32

Of course they should. Scary times. If I had daughters I would hope they dated women exclusively these days. I mean that.

rubia · 21/05/2026 17:33

I hadn’t seen this. So horrific I can’t read the details. They may be children but they are damaged an I’m not sure there’s rehabilitation possible for such depravity.
the sentence is beyond lenient - I’m shocked and hope it gets strongly appealed.
‘none needs to go to prison today’ - yes they bloody well do

Dweetfidilove · 21/05/2026 17:34

Form submitted. Absolutely shocking outcome.

WooBrad · 21/05/2026 17:34

I’ve also complained about this appalling sentence. Let’s get as many people as possible to fill in the form - use the link in the box where it asks for the names of the defendants.
https://www.cps.gov.uk/wessex/news/three-teenage-boys-sentenced-after-two-girls-raped-separate-attacks

AIBU to think these boys should have been incarcerated?
Original poster
newrubylane · 21/05/2026 17:35

BloominNora · 21/05/2026 17:18

My gut reaction when I read the article was that the sentence was too lenient, however, on further reflection I am not so sure. For me it depends on whether they have shown any genuine remorse for what they did (not just remorse for being caught) - so it will be interesting to read the judges comments.

Youth Rehabilitation Order can actually be more restrictive than a custodial sentence and can also include periods of restricted freedom. It is possible that the judge felt that the boys may be less likely to re-offend if they got the intensive support available through a YRO than if they were thrown into a young offenders institute. He must also think that their families will be on board with supporting the implementation of the order (e.g. any curfews and getting to required sessions etc)

His reference to peer pressure implies that he thinks they are easily suggestible and prisons and YOIs have never been well funded in terms of rehabilitation.

It will really depend on how many of the 15 possible YRO requirements are part of order: https://yjlc.uk/resources/legal-terms-z/youth-rehabilitation-order-yro

Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YROs) are community sentences given to children. These can be tailored to address the needs of the individual child, the risk of harm and the risk of re-offending. Each sentence includes different requirements. There is no minimum period for a YRO but they can last up to three years. YROs are covered by sections 173 – 199 and Schedule 6 of the Sentencing Act 2020. They cannot be imposed where the criteria for compulsory Referral Orders are met or where the sentence is fixed by law.

There are 15 different available YRO requirements:
• activity requirement (maximum 90 days)
• supervision requirement
• unpaid work (16 and 17-year olds only; 40-240 hours)
• programme requirement
• attendance centre requirement (maximum 12 hours for children aged 10–13; between 12 and 24 hours for 14–15-year olds; and between 12 and 36 hours for 16–17-year-olds)
• prohibited activity requirement
• curfew requirement (maximum 12 months and between two and 20 hours a day)
• exclusion requirement (maximum three months)
• residence requirement (16- and 17-year olds)
• local authority residence requirement (maximum six months, but not for any period after young person attains age of 18)
• mental health treatment requirement
• drug treatment requirement
• drug testing requirement (14-17-year olds only)
• intoxicating substance treatment requirement
• education requirement
• Electronic monitoring requirement (attached to curfew or GPS location monitoring)

What's actually even sadder is that under the YRO the boys will likely have access to a whole host of counselling and support opportunities and I suspect the girls are not getting anywhere near the same levels of support!

They denied all charges. (An earlier article on the case: BBC News - Teenage boys raped and filmed girls in Fordingbridge, court told - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgjzyvm504o)

They and their families appeared shocked and upset at the sentencing. (BBC News - Teenage boys guilty of raping lone girls in Fordingbridge - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62ddy4qlk0o)

Their sentence included a 3-month curfew.(Original article)

View along the edge of the recreation ground. A playing field is in the foreground, with trees and a hedge to the right.

Teenage boys raped and filmed girls in Fordingbridge, court told

Three boys deny charges relating to alleged attacks on two girls in two separate incidents.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgjzyvm504o

OP posts:
PhaedraTwo · 21/05/2026 17:35

Swiftie1878 · 21/05/2026 14:42

How did you do this? The route I found asked for the name of the offender(s) which are obviously unknown in this case?

Edited
Show quote history

Just say names withheld as accused under 18

NewName12345678910 · 21/05/2026 17:36

professionalcommentreader · 21/05/2026 14:26

I have complained, you can do the same, it’s not acceptable

Edited

I would if I lived in England or wales

link for anyone who does https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/696/apply-to-have-an-unduly-lenient-sentence-reviewed/UrNqWVsY

absolutely disgusting!

What is your name? - Apply to have an unduly lenient sentence reviewed – GOV.UK

https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/696/apply-to-have-an-unduly-lenient-sentence-reviewed/UrNqWVsY

TeutoburgForest · 21/05/2026 17:37

I was absolutely horrified when I read the news article. I have filled in the form. Christ society really does hate women

Nogimachi · 21/05/2026 17:38

FinchiePink · 21/05/2026 17:28

You're arguing with someone who wished gang rape on the judge on page one. I'd ignore any attempts to claim the moral high ground from them if I were you.

Show quote history

Fair but taken a little out of context. My point was simply that the judge would sentence differently if he suffered from the same crime.

DrPrunesqualer · 21/05/2026 17:38

NewName12345678910 · 21/05/2026 17:36

I would if I lived in England or wales

link for anyone who does https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/696/apply-to-have-an-unduly-lenient-sentence-reviewed/UrNqWVsY

absolutely disgusting!

Show quote history

The form doesn’t ask for your address

Greedybilly · 21/05/2026 17:40

Just awful. Those poor girls. Complain!

Pollyanna87 · 21/05/2026 17:40

I’d like to see an elected judiciary.

LakieLady · 21/05/2026 17:41

Swiftie1878 · 21/05/2026 14:42

How did you do this? The route I found asked for the name of the offender(s) which are obviously unknown in this case?

Edited
Show quote history

I submitted mine by naming them with the pseudonyms used in the reports, ie Boy A, Boy B, Boy C.

SpaceRaccoon · 21/05/2026 17:42

IMustDoMoreExercise · 21/05/2026 17:16

When I first learnt what rape was when I was a child, I was utterly amazed the rapists did not go to prison for life.

How naive was I.

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I assumed that they did. It was such a shocking, repulsive thing to learn existed.
I was naive too.

PhaedraTwo · 21/05/2026 17:42

NewName12345678910 · 21/05/2026 17:36

I would if I lived in England or wales

link for anyone who does https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/696/apply-to-have-an-unduly-lenient-sentence-reviewed/UrNqWVsY

absolutely disgusting!

Show quote history

I don't think you have to be in England and Wales. I'm not. I submitted one. It asked for my full name and I used my full name including the 2 middle names which only appear on my passport and birth certificate in case they check I'm real. It didn't ask where Iived.

AllFakeFurCoatAndNoSpanx · 21/05/2026 17:42

I've submitted a complaint too.

The judge may as well have said "boys will be boys" and shrugged.

Allisnotlost1 · 21/05/2026 17:43

coulditbeme2323 · 21/05/2026 16:31

Oh trust me we were better.

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I would never trust you, any of you. I prosecuted some Feltham officers over the years. Utter filth.

WindyMillerDrinksCider · 21/05/2026 17:44

Sickening. That judge needs to be dismissed. I've filled in the form.

coulditbeme2323 · 21/05/2026 17:44

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Allisnotlost1 · 21/05/2026 17:46

Nogimachi · 21/05/2026 17:38

Fair but taken a little out of context. My point was simply that the judge would sentence differently if he suffered from the same crime.

Show quote history

What an inane point. Sentencing is done by the state to ensure objectivity. You might disagree on this case (I do) but it is within guidelines agreed by the government, who are elected.

KafkasScooter · 21/05/2026 17:46

I've appealed too. Very quick and easy.

HauntingBillCrouse · 21/05/2026 17:46

They should be jailed and they should be named so that every girl and woman knows to avoid them for the rest of their lives.

They should be criminalised because they are criminals, of the worst sort.

I hope their mothers were crying with shame and sadness that their vile sons hadn't been imprisoned.

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