Victim Speaks Out Ahead of Court of Appeal Hearing
One of two young women who were victims of rape by two teenage boys has stated that she believes she will "never be the same" following the assaults. Her remarks come in anticipation of a Court of Appeal review concerning the sentences handed down to the offenders.
The victim, identified as Jazmine (a pseudonym), shared that she has been "carrying what happened every day" since the attack occurred in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024, when she was 15 years old. The perpetrators, who were 14 at the time and are now 15, subsequently raped a second girl in January 2025. A third boy, now 14, encouraged this second attack.
In May, all three individuals received non-custodial sentences despite facing 10 rape convictions collectively. This outcome led to significant public outcry, prompting a two-day hearing scheduled to commence at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Details of the Attacks and Court Proceedings
Jazmine was raped three times in an underpass near the River Avon. She had believed she was on a first date after connecting with one of the boys on Snapchat. However, two other boys appeared, including the second defendant. Prosecutors stated that videos of the attacks were shared on social media, resulting in Jazmine receiving abusive messages.
The second victim, aged 14, met the boys at Fordingbridge Recreation Ground and was repeatedly raped in a nearby field. Court evidence included footage showing her lying motionless, with another boy reportedly encouraging the assault.
In a statement released before the appeal hearing, Jazmine described the trial at Southampton Crown Court as "traumatising." She articulated the constant presence of the trauma: "I feel like I am carrying what happened every day. I wake up with it, I go to school with it, I try to sit exams with it, and I go to sleep with it. It is always there."
"When I gave evidence, I was questioned in detail about what I apparently did. It was implied that I wanted it. It was implied that I was experienced in what I was doing. It was implied that I had chosen it or taken part in it."
She added, "I tried so hard to do my best whilst talking about something which has left me with such lasting pain. That broke something inside me. What happened to me has left me harmed so severely that I do not think I will ever be the same."
Sentencing Rationale and Public Response
The boys were issued youth rehabilitation orders (YROs) among other sanctions. Sentencing judge Nicholas Rowland explained that guidelines for youth offenders prioritize non-custodial options as a "last resort," emphasizing the objectives of youth justice to prevent reoffending and ensure child welfare. He noted that while the two 15-year-olds were assessed as a "medium risk" of reoffending but a "high risk of serious harm" to young females, their backgrounds had to be considered. One had an ADHD diagnosis and "long-standing anxiety," while the other had an IQ in the bottom 1%, ADHD with "extreme neurodevelopmental impairment," and presented "more like an eight-year-old."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed that he found the case "distressing as a politician" and "as a father." Attorney General Lord Hermer subsequently referred the sentences to the Court of Appeal, deeming them "unduly lenient." The full transcript of the judge's sentencing remarks, detailing the complex considerations, was made public following a BBC request.
Jazmine's family emphasized that her life has been "changed forever" by the attack. They stated, "Today's hearing is about far more than Jazmine's case. It is about every survivor watching to see how the criminal justice system responds to the devastating harm caused by rape. The outcome has the potential to shape not only Jazmine's future, but the confidence that survivors across the country have in a justice system that they look to for protection." The family is working to establish a foundation, named Stronger than Silence, to support other survivors of sexual violence.
Source: Original Article
