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.

You are the problem.

I thought this too. One or two forms could have been disregarded. Well done to everyone who submitted a form requesting a review.

Women’s voices when used together is more powerful than some people would have us believe!

I think I would like to know 1. What to you to make you so cold and 2. What leads you to believe that your opinion is the one by which we should all abide.
Also calling the reactions of people disgusted by this case 'hysterical' is utterly shameful.

On that note a big Thankyou to OP
@newrubylane
and the OP on the other thread running
@Ohcrap082024
and
@professionalcommentreader for letting us know how to request a review

Mumsnetters have a powerful voice and I’m so thankful to have this platform to help us all be heard

🙏

Yes, I agree with the above thanks to @newrubylane and the above poster for the link. Very clear, concise and effective. Not in the least hysterical!

These convicted rapists, the three boys, criminalised themselves. That judge really should not be allowed to practice. I wonder if he would have been so sympathetic if it were two young boys that were gangraped by the three; as he clearly has no regard for the female victims.

@BloominNoraAs you responded to my post, I will respond to you directly.

This is not mob justice. The police officers involved have queried the sentences. The PCC for Hampshire has called the sentences too lenient and has questioned the focus on rehabilitation. The Detective Sergeant involved in the case has publicly stated that Hampshire Police are liaising with the CPS over the sentences.

So the very professionals involved in the gathering of information in this awful case are publicly calling out the sentences. Are they part of the mob?

There are many, many people who have grave concerns about whether these convicted rapists can actually receive the rehabilitation they require whilst remaining in the very families in which they have grown up.

That in just under 3 months, their curfews will expire. Before their peers have even returned to school after the summer break. Do you actually think that’s ok?

There have been previous cases where Judges have incorrectly applied sentencing guidelines. I think this has happened here and I have exercised my right as a citizen of this country to apply to have an unduly lenient sentence reviewed. That is not mob justice.

In no way am I, or have I been, advocating any form of violence towards these young males. Two wrongs do not make a right.

We are all entitled to our differing opinions but I respectfully ask that you refrain from referring to my posts as “mob justice”.

They're talking about it on LBC now. I'm on hold now and will continue to encourage those listening to write to MP and the unduly Lenient protocol.

Yes, that statement was odd. Maybe the poster is paid by a restorative justice company/system.

I think it’s always worth it. If only to know you tried. It took about 6 mins if that. Least if we try we can say we stood by our values and beliefs.

Our justice system is failing victims daily. I have not seen any evidence that gang rapists who rape at knife point can be rehabilitated.

Criminals choose to get a criminal record. To rape is a choice. Now maybe they thought it was worth the low risk of getting a record. Let’s hope they get locked up and any celebratory dinner they ate last night was short lived.

I want to vote for a party that is tough on crime. Jail sentences. Deportations (probably irrelevant here) to free up prison space. Send them offshore somewhere horrible if we need to. Get these rapists off the streets. Protect our young women (all women and law abiding men).

Restorative justice - what a load of shite! As for mob justice. We are meant to live in a democracy - if the people want longer sentences why don’t the bleeding hearts listen? Their fluffy way isn’t working - look at my stats earlier on El Salvador vs London.

Until judges and private restorative justice companies are accountable for their rehabilitation not working (jail and financial penalties) I would like to see jail sentences for criminals. Save the art workshops and counselling for the victims.

“Explaining his sentencing decision at Southampton Crown court, Judge Nicholas Rowland said: “I should avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily and understand the effects of their behaviour and support their reintegration into society.” “

That “unnecessarily” must feel like a second rape to those poor girls. This man needs to look deep inside himself. His words are heinous. ‘Boys will be boys’ is his attitude. Fuck him. (Then he might actually “understand the effects” of rape, and in his quiet moments he can wonder how much worse it would be at knifepoint, as a child, filmed and circulated. TBC, I’m not inciting anything, it’s a turn of phrase that is fractionally as ugly as his regard for these girls.)

I agree! And all this talk of mob justice? , well I’m sorry that only happens when real justice fails victims!
I’m sorry to say it but I couldn’t give a fig about these boys and their rehabilitation , they committed a heinous, adult crime against these girls and stole something from them that they will never get back , they deserve to be punished fully and as adults! If they are old enough to behave like men they deserve the punishment of men.

I do believe in rehabilitation but I also believe that punishment is needed for serious crimes

These boys will have minimal supervision in the community, one that there is limitation to what can be enforced (what is written in their conditions will not necessarily be acted upon). You simply can't monitor them to any degree to really assess their every day behaviour, they have already shown evidence of having manipulative personalities and this is easy for many to to do even with experienced professionals over a few meetings a month.

I really hope this is reviewed

Glad to see this is now top story on BBC. This has rightly caused massive outrage! I only hope Government listen, properly listens, and act… no more platitudes.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy2x7wxjego

I don’t want have to vote for Reform to get this sorted and women protected from rape because our Government is too in hoc to the ultra-liberal crazies who champions rapists over victims, but I will if I have to.

Yes that was a ridiculous comment from a poster who clearly has never seen what mob justice actually looks like. Petitioning for a crime to be punished with the corresponding sentence rather than waved away is hardly that.

I think it's also worth noting that these boys come from a community that is notorious for rejecting intervention from outside authorities, so the idea that rehabilitation in the community is going to work is even more laughable than usual.

I would welcome Boris back if he promised to sort out this mess! 😬

Did you really just use reform and helping/caring about woman in the same sentence!?

You actually think Reform care about women's safety?

Oh dear.

Yes, for all their faults, they would at least ensure they boys were locked up.

I made clear I don’t want to vote for Reform, but if that’s the only way to get this to stop, I will.

"All I want to do is die, I no longer nave fear for when that comes.' That broke a piece of me along with the other things they voiced. Those poor girls.
For what good it might do, maybe they can find a little strength or knowing how much they are worthy and cared for by seeing how many people are rallying for them and about them.

You think they care about woman. They are and are full of the problem. That party and all who votes are a danger to woman.

I hope so too.

Thank you to OP and the wider mumsnet community for making me aware of this.

I've just been on LBC talking to Tom Swarbrick about this and sending the Unduly Lenient Sentence form onto my colleagues, who are all in shock and such dissapointment.

So much love and thoughts to those girls and their families. I hope those disgusting boys are dragged back to court within days and the sentence overruled.

Big up the Mob! 😂

Another unsettling aspect to this case is that the same judge was aware of the inappropriate behaviour of one of the father's of the boys. This is when the verdict of their guilt was announced, in March:
Man in court cries and says 'that's my son' as verdict against teen is announced | UK | News | Express.co.uk

You can sneer and condescend, but I would vote for the devil himself if he ensured justice for rapists and effective deterrence to keep women safe.

If Labour respond to this with proper action, I may vote for them next time, but if they don’t, and it they show the same attitude as that judge either through their words or inaction, then so help me god, I’ll do what’s necessary when I cast my ballot.