UK teen rapists get detention after outrage at lenient sentences

An appeal judge in London ruled on Thursday that two 15-year-old boys convicted of rape must serve time in custody. This decision followed a public outcry over a lower court judge's May ruling, which sentenced the teenagers to three-year youth rehabilitation orders. The initial judge, Nicholas Rowland, stated his intention was to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily." However, the sentences were met with severe backlash, leading Attorney General Richard Hermer to refer the case to the Court of Appeal as potentially "unduly lenient." The appeal judge's ruling overturned the original decision, mandating detention for the convicted youths.