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.

i wonder if the cps has the ability to appeal against sentencing?

I've done the lenient sentence objection here

FYI for everyone else doing it - the details you need are:

sentencing date is 21/5/2026
sentencing court is Southampton.
The sentencee name is 'unknown'.

On the 'why do you object' page - I said

the victim has been traumatised for life and her agency destroyed. I do not understand how, other than for reasons of structural misogyny, the emotional and psychological needs of the perpetrators, who made clear and deliberate choices to destroy a young girl, have been prioritised over those of that girl.
I also said that the youth of the boys should be an aggravating not a mitigating factor.

I wish we could do something for the girls involved.

It's heartbreaking.

Have just submitted an unduly lenient sentence form. For person, I put ‘unknown’ but added a comment regarding this later in the form.

They should. They’re literally condemning other innocent people when they let these monsters walk.
I think all rapists should automatically get life full stop and die in prison. God knows what this judge was thinking.

Does anyone know if they email you the results?

I've also emailed my MP.

Absolutely shocking. What message is this sending? How is this happening?

Um, sorry, I'm getting fa bit lost. I am so shocked and overwhelmed by it all.

Who was this referring to? Is it the poor young teenagers who endured this hideous attack. They will never ever forget it and will be psychologically damaged for the rest of their lives. Courage? WTF??

I was raped 39 years ago now. A crime of rape has an unbelievable measure of impact on the ‘witness’ as I was referred to in court.

When the verdict was read out at the end of the trial in my case, the jury were told that the person who allegedly raped me would be deported for a crime of exactly the same nature that happened in his country of origin.

I'll never forget the look of the face of the lead jury lady as they told her that.

These girls were children. The message the sentences these boys received sends out is so, so wrong on so many levels.

If you haven’t already done so, please sign the form.

I totally agree with what you say about the judge.

There was another case here where there was one count of voyeurism and one attempted rape which was downgraded to attempted sexual assault. Although there were two separate offences, the court here treated the assailant as a first time offender. It's a joke. (That was the Dolatowski case. Dolatowski was 19 at the time and discharged after being on remand.)

I have submitted the form too. I just hope it does some good.

I don’t remember the exact wording but I made sure I included “premeditated gang rape at knifepoint”

Edit to add I also wrote the fact the attackers recorded the rapes

There was a much publicised gang rape in London, in the mid 90s. Teenage boys took a tourist down onto the canal towpath and raped her, then threw her in the water, I wonder what the sentences were like in that case, as unless I am misremembering they were custodial. The woman who was raped had not been scared of the boys as they were so young, around the same age as the boys in this case.

I’ve just checked and the leader, 14 at the time, was given a ten year custodial sentence.

I’ve also just completed the form. I used phrases like premeditated, organised, threatened and coerced, child pornography.
I also stated that, as a teacher, I was concerned that this is a) no deterrent and b) will discourage reporting at all time when we’re seeing an explosion in peer-on-peer sexual abuse.

Yes,it seems so but only for the scum...recently a teen was not able to be tried in a fire crime, he and his reprobates set fire to a home furnishings shop next to a pet shop. Previously he sank a canal boat...Whole town was affected...his ADHD got him off. It's a disgrace, i say this as a SEN parent.

Form submitted.

Came to mumsnet looking for this thread. It’s actually sickening. These boys are clearly dangerous. Let’s not forget they did this twice to two different girls months apart! That is not a mistake! What kind of deterrent is this to anyone else wanting to commit these crimes? What’s more insane is they will likely be back in school and a school will be forced to accomadate them to the detriment of everyone else! Where is the safeguarding for society here? And the judge ‘none of you need to go to prison today’. WOW.

I mentioned being a retired teacher and being aware of the effect of such a crime on girls. I also stated that the lack of a custodial sentence would encourage other offenders.

I have written to my MP. Let’s see if he replies but at least I feel like I’ve done something. I was so cross reading about this horrible case.

Thank you everyone who explained how to appeal. Just did it. Power of mumsnet!

What on earth is happening to this country. They will rape again, no doubt.

Interesting, please could you point to my use of the word "hysterical", or indeed the anger you mention?

You get an email to confirm you have submitted a review. You then get directed to this:

You can check the outcome of unduly lenient sentence referrals on GOV.UK.

I've also submitted the form. I hope that, with the number of us here that have done so, it will call for a review. Absolutely sickened by both the crimes and the judges comments.