Judge lets three boy rapist go free with no jail time

[ThreadGuardDog]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/24/uk-judge-decision-rape-girls-hampshire

The judge said he wanted to avoid the boys attracting a criminal record so early in life. Is it so unreasonable to think that they should have thought of that before they committed the crime ? Rape/sexual assault, is up 10% according to national statistics. With sentences like these, reflecting the clear misogyny within the judiciary , is it any wonder ?

Thoughts ?

At this point, they’ve effectively decriminalised rape.

I heard part of the interview on BBC news this morning. She said the sentence was like having a rock thrown in her face. My heart goes out to them, and their families - I can’t imagine what it feels like to have been put through such a harrowing and terrifying experience and then watching the perpetrators walk free. These two girls will likely suffer the trauma of this experience for the rest of their lives - something the judge clearly is incapable of understanding.

Agree. No consequences at all for what was by all accounts a vicious and sustained attack.

Dear God. That makes it even worse!!

So they put the victims and their families through the trauma of a trial by not pleading guilty and hey were still ‘praised’ ? I’d say unbelievable but sadly, not much surprises me these days.

I’m in Scotland and in 2022, the guidance for sentencing young people changed, so now the courts are very reluctant to give custodial sentences to anyone under the age of 25, unless absolutely necessary.

I’m not sure if the same guidance was issued in England, but this case makes me think that it has been.

So in cases of murder, there is no alternative to a custodial sentence, but for some reason, the courts and Judges have decided that rape and sexual assault is not severe enough for a custodial sentence under the new guidelines.

We have had outcomes similar to this one in Scotland.

It’s shocking.

Shocking

I mean I’m sure no one expects them to be chucked in the slammer for life, but if someone commits the second most serious crime in the UK they should absolutely spend time in jail. I hope the sentence is reviewed.

Even in murder cases the minimum sentencing up here can be appalling. Such as this case where he got less time as he was under 25 at the time he committed it. Absolutely shameful

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-65495249?app-referrer=deep-link

Didn’t want to criminalise them?! But it is a crime and they are above the age of criminal responsibility. How far does one take this? If one of the victims decided to stab one of the rapiers would they avoid criminalising her too? BONKERS

I hope the victims are now aware that so many of us are standing with them and that we’re all so appalled by the sentences imposed on the rapists.

The sentences were absolutely within the sentencing guidelines but what that tells us is that they need to be reviewed.

We can’t have rapists (children or adults) being convicted with no custodial sentence. It sends a clear message that rape is on par with stealing a bar of chocolate from the shop - It’s wrong but not that big a deal. I don’t feel safe living in a society where rapists get a slap on the wrist and words of support from the judge!

I don’t blame victims for not reporting sexual crimes, it seems like the punishment is on the victims making them relive it over and over again for the court process, meaning they can’t move on with their lives for all of that time and then at the end, no justice so all of that was for nothing.

I was sexually assaulted years ago (minor compared to what these girls have been through) and I didn’t report it because I’ve seen what happens on the news and in documentaries I’ve watched.

Something needs to change because we need to have confidence in reporting these crimes. We need sexual violence to stop with the strong message that it is serious, repulsive, and not something we tolerate.

I’ve seen MPs and other people writing about this. It’s all over my Facebook feed. It’s definitely going to be looked at I’m sure. Its
caused huge outrage. How the judge could think this is appropriate I don’t know. On one thread people were saying it was only because the judge is scared of come back from the traveller community but others said that’s rubbish as judges put mafia bosses and drug dealers etc in prison all the time.

Even if it was within guidelines, even if the argument is about the technicalities of that etc etc…

the judge praised the rapists. Utterly unforgivable.

How is this ‘ judge’ not stripped of his position. Gross dereliction of duty. Mysogynist enabler. Morally repugnant society we are in if this is the best we can come up with. Vomitworthy.

I was struggling to express how I felt as I posted the thread. Vomitworthy sums it up in one word.

Is there a crowd of "patriots", defenders to "protect our women and girls" gathering? No, I didn't think so.

I don't think men should preside over female rape cases. Whether that makes me sexist, I couldn't give a fuck.

Men hate women. This is why rape charges are woefully low.

Anyone to NAMALT me can go away.

Have a look at natasha O'Brien in Ireland. She was beaten unconscious by a serving soldier. Judge didn't impose a sentence because it would damage his career. Natasha started a very successful campaign and he was sentenced.

Stories like this make me so angry! Natasha went through the horrific incident itself, then she was brave enough to report it and go through the whole ordeal of a court case. The justice system failed her and then it was Natasha who had to kick up a fuss and go through another ordeal just to get the justice she should have had in the first place! She’s had more punishment through all of that than the scumbag who attacked her!

As one of the girls herself said - what was the point in me going through the process, having to relive what happened constantly?

But it’s ok, the lads were only found guilty of 11 charges, behaved well in court and pleaded not guilty but were found guilty. Nothing to see here, move along.

Shocking. Once again the justice system seems to favour the criminals rather than the victims.

This could be the same here if we get politicians who want it.

I definitely take it that the judge is at least a misogynist.

It's beyond disgusting, and I fervently hope that his decision is overturned. I would have imposed the maximum sentence I was allowed to. It's gang rape, ffs! Since when was that not one of the most serious crimes imaginable?

Edit: And the use of ADHD as an excuse has me RAGING. ADHD does NOT cause anyone to commit crimes; that's completely irrelevant. I have ADHD and I can tell you that I have never had the urge to rape anyone. 😡 I'm getting extremely tired of the world using ADHD as an excuse for crime, like we're all dangerous.

We really need to get a grip and stop pandering to the different "communities" who have their own values, such as Irish travellers. The law should be the same for everyone living in the country. The old police oath was "without fear or favour" yet, as someone who was in the police for a few years, we were told to "ignore" minor offences from our local significant Irish traveller community and not arrest for more major crimes without prior approval of the duty sergeant. It was so wrong back then and it seems to be worse these days now that there are other communities with their own "laws".

They also filmed it and shared the footage. There were charges relating to that too.

They might be children in age according to the judge -who imho did not do his job. But these males are sadly likely to be a danger to other women and the judge not only did wrong by the victims -also children! But has endangered other females in his inertia and male bias.

He can't have any idea what a female lived experience is, he was so quick to empathise with the young males to the exclusion of the equally young female victims.

This should be a watershed moment.

The irony of it is If I can’t type what I really want to say as I’d probably get arrested for hurty words and go to jail. However it seems that horrible r word is fair game.
Judges should not be able to impose their own sentence, it should be a blanket system

See here for the gov link

Guidance - Apply to have an unduly lenient sentence reviewed – GOV.UK