Jeremy Clarkson has launched a furious attack on the judge who spared three teenage rapists from prison, declaring the sentence "beggars belief" and arguing the offenders should receive life sentences.
The Clarkson's Farm star used his latest column in The Sun to condemn the punishment handed to three boys convicted of raping two teenage girls in Hampshire.
The 66-year-old branded the offenders "scumbags" and accused Judge Nicholas Rowland of letting them off with "a slap on the wrist".
Under the headline "Rapists should do life", Mr Clarkson expressed outrage that the teenagers avoided immediate custody.
Jeremy Clarkson branded the offenders 'scumbags'
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"So let me see if I've got this straight," he wrote.
"In two separate incidents, three teenage boys took part in the rape of two girls – aged 14 and 15 – at knifepoint.
"They also filmed the attacks and uploaded the footage to the internet."
The comments come after Southampton Crown Court heard how two girls were raped in separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January 2025, with footage of the attacks later shared online.
The boys were convicted at Southampton Crown Court
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"Bravely, the girls went to the police and there could be no doubt they were telling the truth because footage of their ordeal was online," he wrote.
The former Top Gear presenter then turned his attention to Judge Rowland, who told the court that he wanted to avoid "criminalising" the boys unnecessarily and support their rehabilitation.
"The scumbags were found guilty and last week a judge, Nicholas Rowland, let them off with a slap on the wrist," Mr Clarkson wrote.
"It beggars belief."
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He continued: "And so does his explanation. He said he wanted to avoid 'criminalising the boys'."
Responding directly to the judge's remarks, Mr Clarkson added: "WHAT????!!?! They did that to themselves when they raped those girls."
During sentencing, Judge Rowland said he had to remember the defendants were "not small adults" and consider how likely they were to commit serious offences in the future.
He also noted that peer pressure had played "a large part" in the offending.
The court heard that two of the boys had ADHD diagnoses, while the youngest defendant was described as having mild cognitive impairment.
Mr Clarkson welcomed the decision to review the sentences, writing: "Mercifully, the Government has stepped in and now the sentences will be reviewed by the Court of Appeal."
The broadcaster then called for significantly harsher punishment.
"Let's hope they all get life. In that prison in El Salvador," he wrote.
The second attack took place at this recreation ground
|CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE
He concluded with a scathing attack on the judge himself, adding: "Let's also hope that the lily-livered judge who let them off is sent to a secure institution for the mentally unstable."
The sentences are due to be reviewed by the Court of Appeal following widespread criticism of the decision.