Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.
Reluctance to criminalise rapists because of their ‘very young’ age is an unjustifiable insult to victims
Soft justice is no justice at all Credit: Moment RF If ever there was a case that exposed how victims of serious crime are being failed by the justice system, it is surely that of the girl raped by two teenage boys in Hampshire. They were also convicted of raping a second victim at knife-point – a third boy was convicted of aiding and abetting that second attack. But when a judge came to sentence them at Southampton Crown Court last week, they avoided being sent to prison, instead receiving youth rehabilitation orders.
The victim of the first rape has spoken out, calling the failure to properly punish the perpetrators like a “rock straight in my face”. She expressed her dismay at having to relive the ordeal in order to secure justice, only to see the criminals given what, to many, will look like a slap on the wrist.
The judge’s reasoning seems extraordinary. He emphasised the “seriousness” of the crimes, but also said he wanted to avoid “criminalising” the “very young boys”. Yet they committed a heinous criminal act against a young girl, with untold consequences for her and her family.
They were also not “very young”, but teenagers who committed rape. One of the boys apparently has ADHD and anxiety. The other supposedly has a very low IQ. Yet the compassion shown towards these criminals is an insult to the victim.
It is also highly damaging to the public’s faith in the criminal justice system. Politicians on all sides have backed a review of the sentences, including Sir Keir Starmer, and Lord Hermer is considering whether to refer them to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentences scheme.
He should do so. Soft justice is no justice at all! DT.
If ever there was a case that exposed how victims of serious crime are being failed by the justice system, it is surely that of the girl raped by two teenage boys in Hampshire. They were also convicted of raping a second victim at knife-point – a third boy was convicted of aiding and abetting that second attack. But when a judge came to sentence them at Southampton Crown Court last week, they avoided being sent to prison, instead receiving youth rehabilitation orders.
The victim of the first rape has spoken out, calling the failure to properly punish the perpetrators like a “rock straight in my face”. She expressed her dismay at having to relive the ordeal in order to secure justice, only to see the criminals given what, to many, will look like a slap on the wrist.
The judge’s reasoning seems extraordinary. He emphasised the “seriousness” of the crimes, but also said he wanted to avoid “criminalising” the “very young boys”. Yet they committed a heinous criminal act against a young girl, with untold consequences for her and her family.
They were also not “very young”, but teenagers who committed rape. One of the boys apparently has ADHD and anxiety. The other supposedly has a very low IQ. Yet the compassion shown towards these criminals is an insult to the victim.
It is also highly damaging to the public’s faith in the criminal justice system. Politicians on all sides have backed a review of the sentences, including Sir Keir Starmer, and Lord Hermer is considering whether to refer them to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentences scheme.
He should do so. Soft justice is no justice at all! DT.