Mother of rape victim says four-year sentence for attackers is 'better' but still 'not enough'

The mother of a rape victim, referred to as Jazmine, expressed her dissatisfaction with the four-year custodial sentence given to the teenage boys convicted of raping her daughter. This statement came after the Court of Appeal in the UK overturned their non-custodial sentences on July 3, 2026. Jazmine's mother stated, "How could any mother be happy with four years? Jazmine is going to live with a lifetime of trauma, and she’s going to live with a lifetime sentence."

Details of the Court Ruling

On Thursday, Lady Chief Justice Baroness Sue Carr announced that the court had no choice but to amend the sentences of the two boys, identified as X and Y, who were convicted of raping Jazmine and another girl, C2. The court's decision followed an appeal initiated by Attorney General Lord Hermer, who deemed the original sentences "unduly lenient."

During the ruling, Carr stated that the trial judge, Nicholas Rowland, had erred in assessing the seriousness of the offences. She emphasized that the updated sentences were necessary due to the gravity of the crimes, which included the filming of the assaults. Carr remarked, "You both raped two girls on two different occasions. You were enjoying it and egging each other on. You made it worse by filming it."

Impact on Victims and Their Families

Jazmine's family, through a statement read by barrister Charlotte Proudman, described their ordeal as a "nightmare that no family should ever have to endure." They noted that while the court's decision does not erase the trauma, it acknowledges the seriousness of the offences. Jazmine herself expressed feelings of entrapment, stating, "I feel like I am the one who has been sentenced, I feel like I am the one living in a prison even though I did nothing wrong."

In a separate statement, C2's family shared that the original sentences left them feeling that their daughter's suffering had not been fully recognized. They expressed pride in her courage throughout the legal process and felt that justice had finally been served with the updated ruling.

Future Actions and Sentencing Context

The two boys, X and Y, are set to appeal the updated sentences, which will count 231 days already served on curfew towards their four-year term. They were also given lifelong restraining orders prohibiting them from contacting the victims. Meanwhile, Z, the third boy involved, did not have his sentence altered due to his younger age.

At the initial sentencing in May 2026, the community reacted strongly against the non-custodial sentences, prompting political figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, to label the case as "appalling." The court’s decision has sparked discussions about the adequacy of legal penalties for juvenile offenders in serious cases.