AIBU to think these boys should have been incarcerated?

[newrubylane]

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.

Well, no girl or young woman is safe on the streets of Hampshire while they are walking free.

WTAF. Teenager here https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/news/wiltshire/news/2023/december-2023/teenager-sentenced-to-five-years-following-meadowcroft-fields-stabbing/ gets a five year sentence for a single non fatal stabbing, yet 11 rapes and the judge didn’t want to criminalise them?

It’s a fair point. They’d be calling for these guys to be hung.

When submitting the form and it asks for your reasons, I put:

premeditated, a group attack on a lone female, knife used, filmed, posted on social media, offences denied and victim blamed

There seem to be so many reasons why this feels unjust and not dealt with effectively to send a clear message.

No it isn't a fair point. It's a completely irrelevant point.

Those poor girls. This is absolutely disgusting they have got away with this. They pre planned it twice, used a knife and even uploaded the evidence. This is not justice. The comments from the judge praising them were frankly disturbing. There is zero protection for women and girls.

No words,absolutely appalling.

YROs can include secure accommodation - they also deliver significant rehab support, curfews, community service etc. They are the second most severe punishment after custody.

If you look at the stats, they must work:

Offences:

in 2015 there were 87,160 offences, 2,000 were sexual offences (2.3%)
In 2022 there were 34,020 offences, 915 were sexual offences (2.7%)
In 2025 there were 35,582 offences, 1,476 were sexual offences (4.1%)

Sentencing:
For young people convicted of an indictable offence:

In 2015 9.5% were given custodial sentences, 73% community sentences,
In 2022 7.5% got custodial and 79.3% got community
In 2025 6.3% got custodial, community increased to 82%.

Re-offending:

Reoffending in 2017 (2015 cohort) was 40.9%, overall and 13.2% for sexual offences
In 2024 (2022 cohort) it was 31.8% and 9.1% for sexual offences. The next lowest is violence against the person which has a re-offending rate of 19.3%.

Re-offending for young people who have committed sexual offences is lower than the same cohort for adults (29.5% re-offending overall, between 13% and 16% for those convicted of sexual offences). Given that adults don't have the option of a YRO type sentence with the same sort of rehabilitation focus, then the data would suggest that rehabilitation for young people does work.

And I guess the animal cruelty and illegal hare and rabbit coursing gets a pass?

It's well recognised that people who have no empathy with animal cruelty tend to have no empathy with human pain and suffering.

I don’t think anyone convicted of rape should ever be given a non custodial sentence. It’s a serious crime and it needs to be treated seriously.

I wrote similar plus severity of impact on the victim

Thank you OP. I too have raised a form. Thanks to others who helped provide info for the form. It breaks my heart for the girls and their families involved. They must be outraged, there was clear evidence what else was needed.

This is an absolute disgrace.

Where is the justice for these young women?

Thanks, have submitted it

Given the calibre of some of the MPs and Councillors that get elected, I bloody wouldn't!

An elected judiciary is a terrible idea.

Ugh.

Boy Mum Endgame.

Submitted my form! I didn't even know we could do this.

Thanks for the link to appeal the sentence given. I have done so. My blood is absolutely boiling. Those poor girls, what sort of message does this sentence send out?

Have sent review to Gov.UK

link to form again for anyone who wants a review of this:

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

Good grief. Shocking. Especially this:

“I hope when you look back you'll at least take some comfort that you - both of you - have shown great courage.”

Wtaf. Poor girls, i'm so angry. Can we not start a campaign to get that judge sacked. His comments were disgusting.
Utterly shameful

Isn't that reoffending within 12 months, though?

Yes as he is clearly a danger and if that mentally incapacitated will never be anything else.