Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Court of Appeal Hands 4-Year Detention, Indefinite Restraints to Teens

7/2/2026

50 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Attorney General Richard Hermer KC referred the case to the Court of Appeal, calling the sentences unduly lenient.
The Court of Appeal sentenced 15-year-old X and Y to four years’ detention, left Z’s youth rehabilitation order unchanged, and the judges said detention was unavoidable.
The appeal court extended X’s and Y’s restraining orders from ten years to indefinite, barred victim contact, and was praised by Attorney General Richard Hermer KC.

History

Historical Context

Enacted in July 1998, the Crime and Disorder Act created the Youth Justice Board and removed the rebuttable presumption that children aged 10-13 were doli incapax, enabling courts to impose custodial sentences on serious juvenile offenders. The act also introduced Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and expanded local authority powers, establishing a legislative framework that still shapes today’s push for harsher youth sentencing.

1 of 2

Story summary

Attorney General Richard Hermer KC referred the case to the Court of Appeal, calling the sentences unduly lenient.
The Court of Appeal sentenced 15-year-old X and Y to four years’ detention, left Z’s youth rehabilitation order unchanged, and the judges said detention was unavoidable.
The appeal court extended X’s and Y’s restraining orders from ten years to indefinite, barred victim contact, and was praised by Attorney General Richard Hermer KC.

1 / 2