The attorney general has asked the Court of Appeal to review the sentences of three teenagers who avoided jail for raping two girls, following a wave of public anger.
Lord Hermer told the BBC he had "no doubt" that the case needed to be examined, saying he wanted "detail as quickly as possible" after hearing about it. The referral means the Court of Appeal will now consider whether the original sentences were unduly lenient.
“Attorney General Lord Hermer refers the sentences of three teenage rapists who avoided jail to the Court of Appeal, saying he had 'no doubt' a review was needed after public backlash.”
The case involves three boys, aged 14, 15 and 16 at the time of the offences, who were convicted of raping two girls aged 12 and 13. In November, they were handed youth referral orders and supervision orders but were not sent to custody. The sentences sparked widespread outrage, with campaigners and politicians calling for them to be reviewed.
Under the unduly lenient sentence scheme, the attorney general can refer cases to the Court of Appeal if they believe the punishment was too soft. The court has the power to increase sentences if it finds the original judge made a mistake.
Lord Hermer, who became attorney general in July, said he acted swiftly once the case was brought to his attention. "I had no doubt that this was a case that needed to be looked at very carefully," he told the BBC. "I wanted to get the detail as quickly as possible so that I could make a proper decision."
The case has reignited debate about how the justice system handles serious sexual offences committed by minors. Victims' rights groups have argued that sentences for rape should always involve a custodial element, regardless of the offender's age.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "We know sexual violence has a devastating impact on victims and we are supporting the police to bring more perpetrators to justice." The spokesperson added that the government was "committed to making sure sentences reflect the severity of these crimes".
The referral applies to England and Wales, where the attorney general's powers extend. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, separate legal systems would handle similar cases, though the issue has prompted broader calls for consistency across the UK.
The Court of Appeal will now set a date for the hearing, which is expected within weeks. If the judges decide the sentences were unduly lenient, they could impose custodial sentences on the teenagers. However, they may also uphold the original orders if they deem them appropriate.
For victims of sexual violence and their families, the case highlights ongoing concerns about how young offenders are treated. The girls' families have expressed relief that the sentences will be reviewed, but many campaigners say the system still needs fundamental reform.
What this means for you
If you are a victim of sexual violence or a family member, this case shows that public outcry can lead to a review of sentences, but the process can be slow. The unduly lenient sentence scheme allows anyone to ask the attorney general to refer a case, but only a small number are successful each year. For parents of teenage offenders, the case serves as a reminder that even young people can face serious consequences for rape, and that sentences can be increased on appeal. For the wider public, the referral underscores the ongoing debate about whether the justice system is tough enough on sexual crimes, particularly when the perpetrators are minors.