Teenagers’ non-custodial sentences for rape under review, UK government says

MP Jess Phillips says sentences given to three boys in Hampshire seem ‘unduly lenient’ and send ‘bad message’

The government is urgently reviewing the “unduly lenient” sentences given to three teenage boys who avoided custody for the rape of two girls.

The MP Jess Phillips, who was the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls before resigning this month, said that giving the boys youth rehabilitation orders sent a “bad message”.