A total sentence of four years' imprisonment following guilty pleas to nine counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and twelve counts of causing a child to watch a sex act was manifestly excessive. Although the case fell outside the scope of the sentencing guidelines because there were six child victims and many of the offences were concurrent, as the defendant had not touched any of the children in an inappropriate way, a three-year sentence was substituted.

CA (Crim Div) (Richards LJ, Jack J, Judge Baker QC)

14/07/2009