TWO teenage boys who had been spared custody after raping two girls were sentenced to four years’ detention today after the Court of Appeal ruled their sentences “unduly lenient.”

The 15-year-olds, known as X and Y and another aged 14, known as Z, were given non-custodial sentences in May for a combined 10 counts of rape and seven indecent image offences related to two victims.

Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr said that the trial judge had made a mistake by giving the 15-year-old boys youth rehabilitation orders.

Speaking to the boys, she said: “We have decided that we do need to change your sentence and that both of you do need to go into detention.

“We have made that decision because we think that what you both did was so bad that we have no other choice. You both raped two girls on two different occasions.

“You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming what you did, which was a horrible thing to do.”

Attorney General Richard Hermer referred the case to the High Court in London following national outcry over the boys not receiving a prison sentence.

He asked the High Court to examine whether the sentences given to three boys was too light.

They were convicted for the rape of two girls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January last year.

The first attack saw a 15-year-old girl raped by X and Y, both aged 14 at the time.

In the second attack, at which Z was present, X and Y both raped a 14-year-old girl while the others encouraged and filmed the offending.

Lady Carr said the sentences would be reduced by the amount of time the boys had each already spent in detention before the trial and half of the time spent on curfew.

They would serve half of the remaining sentence after those deductions, with the judge adding that restraining orders on contacting the victims would be extended from 10 years to life.

The boys will also be subject to police notification requirements for life.

One of the victims has said in a statement with her family that “public outrage was driven by the boys’ horrific crimes” and that “justice has finally been done.”

The families of the two girls said they are “deeply grateful” and “relieved” after the appeal decision.