Outrage as judge gives two teenage rapists no jail time, Attorney General to review sentence

politics | Sky News | 2026-05-25T18:10:00.000Z

A judge's decision to give non-custodial sentences to two teenage boys convicted of raping two children has sparked outrage across the UK. Judge Nicholas Rowland said he wanted to avoid criminalising the boys unnecessarily, sending them home with only a curfew and restraining order. The Attorney General will review the case for the Court of Appeal.

A judge's decision to give non-custodial sentences to two teenage boys convicted of raping two children in separate incidents has sparked widespread outrage across the United Kingdom and raised serious questions about how the justice system treats victims of sexual violence. Judge Nicholas Rowland explained his sentencing by stating he should avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily, before sending both boys home with just a curfew and a restraining order.

The case has prompted the Prime Minister to back a review, with the Attorney General expected to send the case to the Court of Appeal for a decision to be made fairly quickly. Legal experts suggest the judge placed too much emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment for the crime, a balance that has long been contentious in cases involving juvenile offenders and serious sexual violence.

Lucy Duckworth, an advisor for the Survivors Trust and a survivor of child abuse herself, highlighted the devastating impact such decisions have on victims' willingness to come forward. She revealed that she speaks to thousands of survivors who say they wish they had never reported because the journey through the justice system was more traumatic than the rape or assault itself. Some wait five years or more for a trial.

The statistics paint a damning picture of the UK's record on sexual violence. Of the 15% of victims who do report rape, the current conviction rate stands at just 1.6%. The government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency and committed to halving it within a decade, but critics say promises alone will not rebuild trust in a system that consistently fails survivors.

For many, this case represents yet another reminder that the gap between political rhetoric on protecting women and girls and the reality of the justice system remains vast. The Court of Appeal's review will be closely watched as a test of whether the system can deliver meaningful consequences for sexual offenders, regardless of their age.