Decision to allow three boys convicted of rape to walk free sparks fury and debate in U.K.

United KingdomDecision to allow 3 boys convicted of rape to walk free sparks fury and debate in U.K. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the case would go to the Court of Appeal to be reviewed — but advocates say the initial sentences speak to a wider failing. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00One of the victims was raped by two boys in an underpass, pictured, after arranging to meet one of them for a date in November 2024.Crown Prosecution ServiceShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 3, 2026, 5:00 PM EDTBy Chantal Da SilvaLONDON — A judge’s decision to spare three teenage boys found guilty of rape at knifepoint and other serious sexual offenses from a custodial sentence has sparked outrage across the U.K. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Judge Nicholas Rowland’s decision to issue youth rehabilitation orders, or child community sentences, to the trio was widely criticized in Britain’s press. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the outcome “distressing.” Several campaigns calling for the judge’s removal have also been launched on social media, including one petition that was signed by more than 200,000 people. The case stems from two separate attacks perpetrated two months apart by the convicted teens, who were 13 and 14 at the time. The victims were two girls, ages 15 and 14.Member of Parliament Jess Phillips, a longtime advocate for women and girls’ rights, told NBC News in a video interview last week that she was “horrified” by the lenient sentences. “Immediately I just thought that this is the wrong sentence,” said Phillips, who served as the U.K.’s minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls between July 2024 and May 2026. “No doubt about that.”Along with other victim advocates, Phillips warned of the chilling effect the case could have for future sexual assault survivors when weighing whether to come forward. The ruling has also revived questions about whethe...