Why did teenage rapists avoid jail?

Three teenagers who avoided jail over the rape of two girls in Hampshire will now have their sentences reviewed after a judge initially said he wanted to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily". One of the victims described the ruling as being like a "rock straight in my face". The attorney general, Lord Hermer, has announced that the Court of Appeal will review the sentences. His office had received "multiple" requests for the sentences to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Gareth Barlow speaks to Susan Edwards, Professor of Law at Northumbria University and author of 'Sex and Gender in the Legal Process', about how the decision was reached and what will happen next. Also, Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell discusses the government's plan to reform the youth justice system. Warning: This podcast contains references to rape Have you got a question for This Is Why? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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Why did teenage rapists avoid jail? is an episode from Sky News Daily by Sky News.

This episode is 14:33 long.

This episode was published on May 26, 2026.

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