YJB response to the Fordingbridge sentencing review outcome
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) acknowledges the decision of the court following the Attorney General’s review of the Fordingbridge sentencing at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Steph Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board
Steph Roberts-Bibby, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board, said:
The public are right to be deeply concerned by cases involving rape and serious sexual violence carried out by children. These are grave offences with profound and lasting consequences for victims. We acknowledge the ongoing bravery of the girls in this case, and we fully support the court’s focus on ensuring their rights, safety, and protection are paramount.
The youth justice system has two clear responsibilities: responding robustly to serious harm and reducing the likelihood of further harm happening again.
The primary aim of the youth justice is to prevent offending and re-offending by children, as a result youth courts are legally required to balance multiple complex factors simultaneously. Courts must balance punishment, deterrence, and public safety alongside the long-term goal of rehabilitation. We respect the independence of the judiciary in determining that, in this instance, a custodial sentence was necessary to reflect the gravity of these offences for two of the three boys. I also hope that it provides some degree of solace for the victims.
Whether a child is managed under intensive supervision in the community or within a secure environment, the interventions must be rigorous and, with regards to these boys, they will span the rest of their lives.
At the YJB we continue to support frontline youth justice services and practitioners in their complex work. They play a vital role in delivering the specialist, evidence-based interventions, including addressing harmful sexual behaviour, that are critical to preventing offending, future reoffending, breaking cycles of violence, and keeping communities safe over the long term.