Between April and June 2025, 32 sentences were increased under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme, with 13 related to rape offences. The scheme empowers the Solicitor General to challenge sentences judged too low for serious crimes.
- High-profile cases included: Adrian Revill, whose sentence rose from three years to nine and a half after abusing a teenager.
- Haider Ali, whose term increased to 17 years after raping two women in one night.
- Gagandeep Gulati, whose sentence was extended by three years after he filmed and shared footage of an assault.
Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP described these crimes as “sickening,” pledging to continue ensuring rapists are “properly punished” and affirming support for survivors.
Reactions From Victims’ Advocates
Victims’ advocacy groups welcomed the tougher sentences as overdue recognition of the serious harm caused by sexual violence.
Rape Crisis England & Wales stressed that while longer terms can validate survivors and increase safety, justice goes beyond sentencing. They argue that reforms must also deliver quicker investigations, more consistent trials, and improved victim support services.
Some survivors voiced cautious relief. In Middlesbrough, a victim of Haider Ali described the assault as a “constant mental burden” that still disrupts her life.
For many, longer sentences represent not just punishment, but official acknowledgment of their suffering.
Critics Caution Against a Narrow Focus
Civil liberties campaigners, including the Howard League for Penal Reform, warned that harsher terms alone do not reduce reoffending or tackle root causes.
They argue that political and media pressure often drive such sentencing changes more than evidence-based policy.
Academic experts add that longer sentences have limited deterrent impact. Instead, they argue that reform must also address:
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Inconsistent prosecution practices across regions.
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Low conviction rates and high victim drop-out.
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Rehabilitation and prevention strategies to reduce reoffending.
Sentence Increases
| Individual | Original Sentence | Increased Sentence | Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Revill | 3 years | 9 years 6 months | Repeatedly sexually abusing an underage teenager |
| Haider Ali | 12 years (10 years imprisonment + 2 years license extension) | 17 years (15 years imprisonment + 2 years license extension) | Attacking and raping two women on the same night |
| Gagandeep Gulati | 6 years | 9 years | Raping a woman, filming it, and sharing the footage with others |
| Anthony Williams | 8 years | 12 years | Approaching women online, pretending to be a photographer, and sexually assaulting them |
| Ibrar Hussain | Sentence increased (specific details not provided) | Sexually abusing a vulnerable girl in the 1990s | |
| Imtiaz Ahmed | Sentence increased (specific details not provided) | ||
| Fayaz Ahmed | Sentence increased (specific details not provided) | ||
A Balancing Act
The ULS scheme has existed since 1989, introduced after public outrage at lenient rape sentences. Today, about one-third of ULS appeals involve offences against women and girls, signalling a clear governmental priority.
Rigby’s interventions reflect both longstanding concerns and renewed urgency in the post-#MeToo era to respond firmly to sexual violence.
Yet the justice system faces a delicate balance. On the one hand, increasing terms reassures survivors and communities that rape is treated as the grave crime it is.
On the other hand, critics warn that headline-driven sentencing risks overshadowing the deeper structural issues—investigation delays, trial inconsistencies, and inadequate victim services—that continue to deny many survivors meaningful justice.
To Sum Up
The government’s decision to toughen rape sentencing in the UK reflects a desire to address public anger and survivor concerns.
For victims, longer terms can provide recognition and reassurance. But real justice demands more than prison time.
Without wider reforms to support victims, improve prosecutions, and strengthen fairness, sentencing changes alone cannot resolve the enduring challenges in tackling sexual violence.
Sources: Attorney General’s Office, Lucy Rigby KC MP, Rape Crisis England & Wales, Howard League for Penal Reform.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
