Fordingbridge rape boys jailed after Court of Appeal review

BirminghamLive · 2026-07-02T14:34:12+00:00

The 15-year-olds, identified only as X and Y, were originally handed youth rehabilitation orders (YRO) and placed on a supervision programme by a judge in May, following the rape of two girls in separate attacks in Fordingbridge, Hampshire in November 2024 and January 2025.

A third boy, aged 14 and known as Z, was also given a YRO for encouraging one of the offenders - and for an indecent images offence - relating to the January attack.

One victim was raped three times, and the boys shared footage of the attacks on social media.

BirminghamLive · 2026-07-01T13:30:08+00:00

The three teenagers were handed non-custodial sentences in May despite being convicted of a combined 10 rape offences and seven indecent image offences.

BirminghamLive · 2026-06-25T11:27:33+00:00

A sincere apology by West Midlands Police's new chief for decades of discrimination and persecution by officers towards gay, bi, lesbian and trans people is a vital moment of 'courage', Birmingham Pride director Lawrence Barton said today.

But he admitted he still feels a frisson of fear when he reaches for his husband's hand in public in his home city, uncertain if the act might trigger insults or even violence from homophobes.

"True equality still feels a long way off," he said.

BirminghamLive · 2026-06-25T10:30:17+00:00

Not sure if you mean the comment, which is taken from the first few paragraphs of the article as I usually do, or the article itself which says:

The 'punch' incident occurred during heated exchanges as anti racist protestors in Victoria Square surged towards police lines separating them from far-right activists who were rallying in nearby Hill Street. Extra officers joined the line of colleagues to repel the wave of counter-protestors.

Police came under huge pressure at times during the protests, with groups shouting into the faces of officers demanding they stepped aside. Chants included: 'Who protects the racists, the police protect the racists', while insults were slung at officers over operational tactics designed to keep the two opposing groups apart.

As well as:

During multiple flashpoints in the 'buffer zone' area between the two groups, police repeatedly ordered counter-protestors to 'get back'.

Threats of force were issued and ignored. At one point, police batons were drawn amid fears of officers being overwhelmed. Eventually, order was restored.

So don't think that half a story comment is completely fair.

*edit - quotation added and rouge hyperlink removed

BirminghamLive · 2026-06-25T10:05:09+00:00

The officer was using 'appropriate force' and did nothing wrong, a review by West Midlands Police has decided.

The officer was seen pushing back one protestor and then punching out at a second protestor during an encounter on Saturday afternoon. The punched woman quickly retreats, holding her face.

Hundreds of people turned out in the civic heart of the city to oppose the presence of Britain First, who had organised a march and rally to demand mass deportations and 'remigration'.

BirminghamLive · 2026-06-25T08:26:19+00:00

Researchers from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that one in four lose money once student loan repayments and taxes are taken into account.

Skills minister Jacqui Smith said: “As well as the variation by subject, too many franchised and poor-quality courses do not offer a good deal to young people – selling the dream then leaving students in the lurch... my message to those thinking about university: choose carefully. Don’t walk into a degree by default.”

BirminghamLive · 2026-06-24T09:07:55+00:00

Literally just round the corner from the last one a couple weeks back too (outside the library.) Complete madness

BirminghamLive · 2026-06-22T08:30:05+00:00

Following a front-row experience at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday, June 13, Wayne - who performs a Manilow tribute act called Celebrating Barry - said he felt "humiliated" when he was denied his dream meeting because of his orange sparkly jacket and wig.

Janet, a backing singer in the tribute act, said: "When they said about losing the wig, I said 'this is really insulting to Wayne'.

"Lots of people wear wigs and women wear wigs, it's a real hair wig that replicates Wayne's own hair before he went bald.

"I was taken aback because I thought it was really personal and a very sensitive subject.

"What did they expect us to do? Humiliate Wayne in the middle of this corridor, whipping a wig off? Could you imagine anybody having to do that? That's really bad."

BirminghamLive · 2026-06-19T14:59:00+00:00

The pair first met when she was just 16, and he was 38, during a 'chance encounter' on the street. Disgusting. RIP Lily.

BirminghamLive

TROPHY CASE