The Huffington Post
Keir Starmer speaking to Sky News Keir Starmer has announced that a particularly “distressing” rape case sentencing has been referred to the Court of Appeal. Three boys were sentenced to youth rehabilitation orders and put on intensive supervision and surveillance after raping two girls in 2024 and 2025. Footage of the attacks were later shared on social media. The victims spoke out in a heartbreaking interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg and called on the government to intervene over the leniency of the sentences. Chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones grew emotional watching the exchange at the weekend, telling the BBC: “No parent wants their daughter to be in those circumstances.” Starmer confirmed on Tuesday morning that attorney general Lord Richard Hermer has now referred the case to the Court of Appeal. The prime minister said: “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. “There are questions about the sentence. The Attorney General has power to refer a case to the Court of Appeal if the attorney general thinks the sentence was too lenient.” He said it was “right” for the Court of Appeal to review the sentencing. The Court can now change the sentence if it decides the judge in the case was too lenient, but it may also leave it, if it believes the sentence was reasonable. The Attorney General Richard Hermer said: “There has understandably been a huge amount of public interest, and concern, at this horrific case. “I directed my officials to work urgently, to allow me to consider this decision swiftly, and to begin to bring closure to the victims and their families. “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.” 'I can announce that the case will go to the Court of Appeal' The sentences of teenagers who avoided jail for raping two girls have been referred to the Court of Appeal, the prime minister has said. https://t.co/kGTpgzBBtq pic.twitter.com/IX7Xte4q9t — Sky News (@SkyNews) May 26, 2026 Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Minister Grows Emotional While Discussing Teenage Rape Victim's Case
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