The rape that occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s will result in the offender serving a longer sentence in prison.
After the Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC MP referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, a man who sexually assaulted a child in the late 1970s and early 1980s was given a longer prison sentence.
A child between the ages of 5 and 8 was sexually assaulted by the offender, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. When the offense was committed, the offender was between the ages of 14 and 16. If the victim told anyone about the crimes that had been committed, he threatened to kill her.
At Truro Crown Court, the offender was found guilty of rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child. He was given a 4 year, 6 month prison sentence.
When the Solicitor General realized that the sentence did not accurately reflect the seriousness of the offense that had been committed, he referred it to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
On June 30, the Court of Appeal increased the original sentence to eight years in prison after concluding that it was too lenient.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC MP said:
“Today’s verdict shows that it is never too late for justice to be done, and I wish to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward. The fact that this offending happened a long time ago makes it no less serious, and I welcome the decision of the Court to impose a longer sentence.”