CHRISTOPHER APPLEBY'S SENTENCE INCREASED FOLLOWING APPEAL IN STOKE-ON-TRENT
A child sex offender who abused three girls over more than ten years has had his prison sentence extended after an appeal.Christopher Appleby was convicted at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court of horrifying crimes involving three young victims.
The 56-year-old was found guilty of offenses dating back to the 1990s after a six-day trial, and was initially sentenced to 15 years in prison.
However, following a review prompted by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP, his sentence has now been increased.
The Court of Appeal determined that Appleby's original sentence was 'unduly lenient' and increased it to 21 years in prison, plus an additional five years on license.
After the ruling, Mr.
Chalk commented: "It is never too late for justice to be served and Appleby’s actions were despicable.
I am glad the Court of Appeal saw fit to increase his sentence today and I hope it brings some comfort to the brave victims." Appleby, of Leveson Road, Hanford, was convicted of four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and attempting to cause a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
During the original sentencing, a victim’s statement was read aloud.
She expressed her desire for him to remain behind bars forever and shared her wish to forget that part of her life, saying, "I hope he remains behind bars forever.
I long to forget about this part of my life forever and live safely with my partner and children without the thought of this man being on the loose anymore." Another victim also provided a statement, revealing her ongoing trauma.
She said, "The thought of being in the same room as him makes my skin crawl.
All I can really say is this has finally brought some closure.
You took away the last of my childhood and severed a friendship.
It upset me that it didn’t end with me, of course—you thought you could do it again."
