Three teenage boys have today been sentenced after they were convicted of a knife-point rape and other serious sexual offences against two teenage girls in Hampshire.

The boys, who were aged 13, 14 and 14 at the time of the offences, cannot be named for legal reasons.

During a five-week trial at Southampton Crown Court which resulted in their convictions on 5 March 2026, jurors heard that the victims, aged 14 and 15 at the time, were attacked in separate incidents less than two months apart and were physically overpowered. The girls did not know one another.

January 2025 offence

In January 2025, a 14 year old girl was assaulted after becoming separated from her friends. She was threatened with a knife and forced to leave her mobile phone and AirTag in a shop so that her movements could not be tracked, before being taken to a secluded area.

Two defendants took it in turns to rape the victim while the others encouraged the offending and filmed the assaults. The defendants left the scene when they believed they had been disturbed. The victim was later found distressed and reported the incident to police.

Forensic evidence supported the victim’s account, including damage to her trousers consistent with the use of a sharp instrument.

November 2024 offence

The investigation later identified a second victim, aged 15, who was raped in November 2024 by two of the same defendants, both aged 14 at the time.

The court heard that the victim had met one of the defendants online and travelled alone to meet him. They were later joined by another boy and taken to an underpass, where she was raped by both of them.

Today at Southampton Crown Court, Boy A, from Hampshire, who was convicted of two counts of rape and count of taking indecent images of a child, has been sentenced to a three-year youth rehabilitation order.

Boy B, from Dorset, who was convicted of six counts of rape, has been sentenced to a three-year youth rehabilitation order.

Boy C, from Hampshire, who was convicted of two counts of rape, has been sentenced to an 18-month youth rehabilitation order.

Whenever a rape or serious sexual offence case involves a child suspect, it is reviewed by a prosecutor with expertise in both rape and youth offending.

As in all cases, we carefully consider all of the evidence. We will take into account the full circumstances of both the victim and the child suspect to ensure any decision to prosecute is fair, proportionate and reflects the gravity of the offence.

Lucy Paddick, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This is a deeply concerning case which involved a disturbing level of encouragement between young boys, who acted together to rape two young girls in separate incidents.

“These girls were forced into sexual activity by boys who brazenly filmed the deeply distressing incidents.

“After speaking with the victims in this case and reviewing an extensive file of evidence, it was the Crown Prosecution Service’s case that these girls were violated and could not have consented to these terrifying encounters.

“The CPS worked closely with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to support the victims and other young witnesses to give their evidence, and we commend them for the courage they showed throughout this trial.

“Our lawyers will work tirelessly to pursue justice for victims, and we will continue to hold those responsible for crimes of this devastating nature to account, regardless of their age.”

Siobhan Blake, National CPS Lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO), said:

“It is deeply distressing to see any instance of sexual offending, especially when it involves young victims and offenders. Our prosecutors tell us they are seeing youth-on-youth cases with some involving more serious and more violent behaviour.  

“It is vital young people are educated and informed about consent and that harmful and misogynistic attitudes are tackled as early as possible to prevent these crimes. Everyone has a part to play.

“Young people must understand that sexual activity without consent is a serious criminal offence that can lead to them being prosecuted.

“To any young person who has been a victim of crime or who has seen or heard about sexual abuse happening – please tell a trusted adult. You are not in trouble, and we will be here to support you through the next steps.”