Sir Michael Ellis has said Labour is sending “mixed messages” after the Government launched an urgent review into three teenage rapists avoiding jail.
Following the verdict, Keir Starmer said that “law officers are urgently reviewing the sentences,” and Attorney General Lord Hermer is investigating whether to send the case to the Court of Appeals.
The traveller boys, who were aged between 13 and 14 at the time, sexually assaulted two teenage girls and “laughed" while filming the attacks.
They then shared the content online, Southampton Crown Court heard, with the first attack taking place on November 26, 2024 and the second on January 17, 2025.
Although the three were convicted of a total of 11 rape charges, they were allowed to walk free.
The trio received youth rehabilitation orders and were told by the judge that they had "done well" with the restrictions imposed during the trial.
During the sentencing, Judge Nicholas Rowland said: “I should avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily and understand the effects of their behaviour and support their reintegration into society.”
He stressed the boys were “very young” and had low intelligence.
“Of course, these were very young defendants and a young victim, but frankly, these sorts of sentences are totally out of kilter with what the general public expects,” Sir Michael reacted.
Speaking to GB News, the former Attorney General said: “I'm afraid the government is pushing out mixed messages here.
“It's only fair to point out that David Lammy himself has called for an increase in the age of criminal responsibility.
“It's been ten years since 1963. He wanted it increased to at least 12, if not 14 years of age, and he's issued a white paper to that effect.
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“The government has also put a bill forward to reform sentencing so that we have even shorter sentences and earlier release schemes.
“With one turn of the face, the Government is saying that this particular sentence is appalling.
“But on the other side of the coin, they're saying that they want to release prisoners earlier and sentence them to shorter sentences in the first place.
“So I'm afraid there are some mixed messages for the judiciary here,” Sir Michael said.
Lord Hermer has announced law officers will review the sentencing of the rapists “urgently”.
He said:“We share the public’s shock at the details of this horrific case, and our thoughts are with the young victims during this distressing time.
“The law officers are urgently reviewing the case with the utmost care and attention.”
Lord Hermer and Solicitor General Ellie Reeves, who both act as the Government’s primary law officers, will have 28 days to decide on the case and could opt to refer it to the Court of Appeal.
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