Schoolgirl raped by two 14-year-old boys issues heart-wrenching statement

Two 14-year-old boys who carried out a series of horrific rapes against two schoolgirls walked free from court with non-custodial sentences, sparking a public outcry and a high-level legal review. The attacks took place in November 2024 in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, when a 15-year-old girl, known under the pseudonym Jazmine, was lured to an underpass by the River Avon.

She had arranged to meet a boy she had connected with on Snapchat for what she believed would be a first date. Instead, she was trapped and raped three times by him and another 14-year-old boy. The attackers filmed the assaults and posted them on social media, resulting in the victim receiving abusive messages online.

Just two months later, in January 2025, the same two boys repeatedly raped a second 14-year-old girl in a field at Fordingbridge Recreation Ground, while a third boy shouted encouragement.

In May, the three defendants walked out of Southampton Crown Court after being handed Youth Rehabilitation Orders, despite amassing 10 rape convictions between them.

The non-custodial sentences caused widespread anger. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the case as "distressing", and Attorney General Lord Hermer referred the case to the Court of Appeal as "unduly lenient". A two-day hearing has now opened at the Royal Courts of Justice.