Number of rapists swerving jail soars by two-thirds in three years as eight cleared with absolute discharge

The number of rapists who avoid jail has soared by two-thirds in the last three years, new figures have revealed.

The data show that 114 people convicted of the offence in the last year were able to avoid custodial sentences.

That number has risen from just 69 in 2022.

The figures, which have been obtained by The Sun, show that 81 rapists were given community sentences last year.

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While six were handed suspended jail sentences.

Eight rapists got an absolute discharge, meaning they walked away with no further punishment.

Of the 114 people who avoided prison, 73 were youth offenders.

The news comes just days after Labour launched an urgent review after three teenage rapists were able to avoid prison.

The punishments were handed out to the offending trio after they sexually assaulted two teenage girls and "laughed" while filming the attacks.

The traveller boys, who were aged between 13 and 14 at the time, "brazenly filmed" the rapes on their phones.

They then shared the content online, Southampton Crown Court heard.

The first attack took place on November 26, 2024 and the second on January 17, 2025.

Earlier today, it was announced that two of the boys will now have their sentences reviewed at the Court of Appeal.

Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan and Safeguarding Minister Alicia Kearns referred the sentences to Lord Hermer under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for the "horrific premeditated offences".

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They argued the sentences failed to reflect the gravity of the offences, the impact on the victims' lives and fell short of maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

As a result, Lord Hermer has announced law officers will review the sentencing of the rapists "urgently".

He said: "We share the public’s shock at the details of this horrific case, and our thoughts are with the young victims during this distressing time.

The law officers are urgently reviewing the case with the utmost care and attention."

Lord Hermer and Solicitor General Ellie Reeves, who both act as the Government’s primary law officers, will have 28 days to decide on the case and could opt to refer it to the Court of Appeal.

Although the three were convicted of a total of 11 rape charges in a trial in which the victims had to relive the attack, the trio were told they can walk free.

They received youth rehabilitation orders and were told by the judge they had "done well" with the restrictions put in place during the trial.

The two older boys were handed three-year youth rehabilitation orders and 180 days of intensive surveillance and supervision.

Meanwhile, the younger boy received an 18-month-long youth rehabilitation order.

During the sentencing, Judge Nicholas Rowland said: "I should avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily and understand the effects of their behaviour and support their reintegration into society."

The judge stressed the boys were "very young" and had low intelligence.

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