News story

Reading teenager sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder and rape

The Court of Appeal has today increased the unduly lenient sentence of Callum Stroomer to life in prison with a minimum of 13 years for the vicious attempted murder of two teenage girls while he was on bail for the rape and sexual assault of two other teenage girls.

At Reading Crown Court in October 2015, Stroomer was sentenced to a total of 17 years’ detention, extended for three years.

The Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal and after he personally presented the case at today’s hearing said:

“I referred the original sentence as I felt that it did not properly reflect the severity of the case. The offences included the vicious attempted killing of two girls in a violent knife attack, as well as serious rape and sexual assault in circumstances of blackmail.

“I hope this increased sentence gives some comfort to the victims and their families.”

Published 2 February 2016