Girl reveals rape trauma ahead of sentence review

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Girl reveals rape trauma ahead of sentence review Figure caption, One of the girls was attacked in an underpass beside the River AvonPublished1 hour agoOne of two girls raped by two teenage boys has said she does not think she "will ever be the same" ahead of a Court of Appeal sentence review. Jazmine, not her real name, said she was "carrying what happened every day" since she was attacked in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024, when she was 15. The offenders, who were 14 at the time, now aged 15, raped a second girl in January 2025, encouraged by a third boy now aged 14.

In May, all three walked out of court with 10 rape convictions between them after being given non-custodial sentences, but following a public outcry, a two-day hearing is set to begin on Wednesday at the Royal Courts of Justice. Warning: This story contains details some may find distressingJazmine was raped three times in an underpass by the River Avon, during what she had thought was a first date. She had begun a "relationship" with one of the boys on Snapchat and had travelled to meet him but then two other boys appeared - the second defendant, who was 14 at the time, and another boy, who is not the third defendant and was not involved in the trial.

The Details

The boys shared video of the attacks on social media, resulting in her receiving abusive messages, prosecutors said. The second girl was 14 when she met the boys at Fordingbridge Recreation Ground, and was raped repeatedly in a nearby field. Video footage seen in court showed her lying motionless on the ground with "her face buried in her hands", while another boy was heard shouting words of encouragement.

Figure caption, In an earlier interview, the first rape victim told Laura Kuenssberg about the pain of going to courtIn a statement ahead of the hearing, Jazmine called the trial at Southampton Crown Court "traumatising". "I feel like I am carrying what happened every day. I wake up with it, I go to school with it, I try to sit exams with it, and I go to sleep with it.

It is always there," she said. "When I gave evidence, I was questioned in detail about what I apparently did. "It was implied that I wanted it.

What Experts Say

It was implied that I was experienced in what I was doing. It was implied that I had chosen it or taken part in it. ""I tried so hard to do my best whilst talking about something which has left me with such lasting pain.

That broke something inside me," she added. "What happened to me has left me harmed so severely that I do not think I will ever be the same. " Figure caption, The second victim's family previously spoke to NewsnightAmong other sanctions, the boys were given youth rehabilitation orders (YROs).

Sentencing judge Nicholas Rowland said guidelines for youth offenders stated custody should be considered a "last resort" and he "must have regard to the objectives of youth justice being to prevent offending by children and the welfare of the child".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.