August 2010 Paedophile’s sentence is reduced A PAEDOPHILE who raped a 12-year-old girl has had his jail term shortened after a judge reviewed his sentence. Gareth Bentley, aged 22, from Farnworth, appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday and was told by Judge Timothy Clayson his sentence would be reduced to two years and eight months, from the original sentence of four years. Bentley smiled and gestured to family in court as he was led from the dock. He raped the girl on January 9 this year in Farnworth. He approached her outside Priceright Carpets in King Street and encouraged her to go with him to a private place. He then forced the girl to have sex with him. She reported the offence to a teacher three days later. Bentley was given credit for his guilty plea and he also showed remorse in a letter to the court. He has already served 189 days behind bars.