Starmer says boys found guilty of rape will have sentences reviewed at Court of Appeal
The prime minister confirmed the sentences will be reviewed at the Court of Appeal during a visit to East Sussex
Sir Keir Starmer has said the Fordingbridge rape case which saw three teenage boys avoid jail sentences will go to the Court of Appeal.
Two girls were raped in the Hampshire town by two 15-year-olds. A third boy, aged 14, was also convicted for his involvement in the second attack and an indecent images offence.
All three boys cannot be named for legal reasons.
A judge at Southampton Crown Court decided not to hand them custodial sentences because he wanted to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily".
The boys were instead given youth rehabilitation orders (YRO) and subjected to intensive supervision and surveillance (ISS).
But the decision to spare them from jail has led to much public outcry, with the sentences referred earlier this month for being too lenient by the Attorney General Lord Hermer.
Speaking on Tuesday during a visit to East Sussex, Sir Keir confirmed that Lord Hermer had decided the sentences could now be reviewed at the Court of Appeal.
He said: "There are questions about the sentence.
"The attorney general has power to refer a case to a court of appeal if the attorney general thinks that the sentence is too lenient.
"The attorney general has now exercised that power.
"So I can announce that case now will go to a Court of Appeal… and that is clearly the right outcome."
The prime minister described the case as "really distressing," adding: "I think it's distressing for everybody to see, to hear about.
"The courage, frankly, of the girls to come forward is humbling, but it is distressing.
"I find it distressing as a politician. I find it distressing as a father."
Lord Hermer said he had directed his officials to "work urgently to allow me to consider this decision swiftly" due to the "huge amount" of public interest that the case had generated.
He said: "It is clear to me from their powerful personal statements that these girls have displayed immense bravery in coming forward.
"There is an epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country, and this government will not hesitate in taking action to ensure all women and girls feel safe and have confidence in the justice system."
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