Proudmans is representing teenage rape victim after rapists walked free in case that shocked the nation
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Proudmans is honoured to be representing Jazmine (not her real name), one of the teenage victims in the Fordingham rape case pro bono. We are dedicated to ensuring Jazmine gets the justice she deserves.
Jazmine, who was 15 at the time of the attack, gave an interview with BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, where she described the sentencing as “a rock thrown straight in my face” and asked,
“What was the point in putting me through that?”
Two 15-year-olds boys were convicted of raping two girls in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, but were given non-custodial sentences by Judge Nicholas Rowland at Southampton Crown Court, who said he wanted to “avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily”. The boys were instead given youth rehabilitation orders and made subject to intensive supervision and surveillance.
Following examination by Attorney General Richard Hermer, the sentencing will go to the Court of Appeal for review under The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
Jazmine’s family says:
“As a family we are very happy to have Proudmans representing us through this extremely difficult time. We aim, alongside Proudmans, to achieve the correct punitive sentence from the court of Appeal. We chose Proudman’s after being highly recommended Dr Proudman and her team, and, after meeting with them, it became the obvious and easy choice. As a family, we want the correct justice and to help make a difference not only now but to the future.”
Dr Charlotte Proudman, Jazmine’s barrister, says:
“When rapists walk free, the world becomes a prison for their victims. Judge Rowland’s sentencing sends a message that the future of boys is more important than the safety of girls. Rape has, in effect, become decriminalised and trust in the justice system is broken. ”
“It is extraordinary that Judge Rowland praised the boys for their conduct during the trial despite them trying to shift the blame on to the girls for “flirting” with them. The girls should have been praised for the extraordinary courage it took to endure a rape trial in which they were called liars and had every aspect of their trauma scrutinised.”
Read Dr Charlotte Proudman's thoughts on how "himpathy" means rape survivors are being failed by the courts in The Independent.
Jazmine’s story:
Jazmine, not her real name, is the first girl in the Hampshire rape cases. Aged 15 at the time, she was raped three times in an underpass by the River Avon in Fordingbridge, fearing she might be thrown into a river if she did not comply with their wishes.
She considered one of the attackers to be her boyfriend after he befriended her on Snapchat and travelled to meet him for the first time in Fordingbridge. He asked her to perform sexual acts on him, and she agreed. Two other boys unexpectedly appeared and took turns raping her for an hour and a half, whilst laughing and recording the attacks on their phones. The videos were uploaded to social media, leading to Jazmine being harassed and called a “slag”.
As a trauma-informed law firm, we understand the profound and complex effects of trauma, and how retraumatising legal processes can be. Our team is trained to identify signs of trauma and support our clients every step of the way.
Published 2 June 2026.
Comments