January 2019: To be released in 2019 March 2016 Man found guilty of abusing young girl has ‘unduly lenient’ sentence upped A man who was jailed for using a young girl to satisfy his sexual urges saw his ‘unduly lenient’ sentence doubled by top judges. Mark Hessing, 57, of Loslock Road, Urmston , subjected the youngster to a series of horrific sex attacks, which have since blighted her life. The attacks began when the girl was just three years old and the repeated abuse continued for a further decade He was found guilty of 13 indecent assaults at the city’s crown court in October, but escaped with only a four-year sentence. But in a review of the case at the Court of Appeal, three senior judges said that was too short and upped it to eight years. Hessing, who appeared via a video link from prison, looked shocked and shook his head as Lady Justice Macur delivered her judgment. ‘We come to the conclusion that there is evidence which, beyond doubt, establishes that this victim sustained severe psychological harm,’ she said. ‘All things being taken into account, this series of offending, after trial, would merit a sentence of eight years’ custody.’ The court heard Hessing had subjected the girl, to serious abuse. But reviewing the sentence at the Court of Appeal, Lady Justice Macur said the impact on the girl meant four years was too short. She had been deeply traumatised by what happened to her, she said. The term was ‘unduly lenient’ and would be upped to eight years, continued the judge, sitting with Judge Christopher Kinch QC and Mr Justice Andrew Smith. Hessing’s case was back in court after a reference by government law officer, solicitor general Robert Buckland QC.