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A convicted rapist has had his five-year sentence at a young offender institute increased to seven years, after it was successfully appealed by the Attorney General’s Office.
Samuel Davies, 20, of St Davids Way, Caerphilly, was originally sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on May 11, this year.
Davies had pleaded guilty to one count of rape, which saw him given a five-year sentence. He also pleaded guilty to a count of assault by penetration, for which he was given a three-year and eight-month sentence.
Both sentences were quashed by the Court of Appeal and increased to seven years and six months, and six years respectively. Both will run concurrently, meaning Davies will serve a total of seven years and six months.
The requirements of being placed on the Sex Offenders Register, Sexual Harm Prevention Order, as well as a restraining order, are still in place.
The Attorney General’s Office sent the case to the Court of Appeal under its Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
Under this, members of the public can ask the Attorney General’s Office to review criminal sentences handed down by Crown Court within 28 days of sentencing.
In its legal argument to the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General’s Office said the starting point for Davies’ sentence was too low because there were multiple aggravating features, such as the vulnerability of the victim, the sustained nature of the attack, and the fact that Davies took pictures and tried to hide evidence.
Others included the influence of alcohol and the arrest of a third party during the investigation.
It was argued the starting point of the sentence should have been ten years; before any adjustment for Davies’ age.
The Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said: “This was an appalling case, and I would like to express my sympathies to the victim.
“I strongly believe that the original sentence was unduly lenient and thankfully the Court of Appeal has agreed.
“The court’s decision to add a further two-and-a-half years to the offender’s sentence clearly
demonstrates that we will do everything in our powers to punish those who carry out abhorrent
offences.”
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