Northumberland paedophile who abused schoolgirl is finally jailed after case heard by appeal court judges
Frazer Smiles, 25, was initially handed a two-year suspended prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court after he admitted eight counts of abusing her.
His victim, now a woman, was praised by Northumbria Police for her bravery in reporting Smiles “during what has been and continues to be a very difficult time for her”.
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Hide AdFollowing the original October hearing, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) referred the case to Attorney General Geoffrey Cox in the hope that he would sanction a legal bid to increase the punishment.
This permission was granted and judges at London’s Court of Appeal have now jailed Smiles for three years and six months.
A spokesman for the CPS said after the new hearing: “We referred the case to the Attorney General as we considered that the sentence was not commensurate with the seriousness of the offence.
“We are reassured that the Court of Appeal has endorsed our views by increasing the sentence.”
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Hide AdSmiles, of Saint Bartholomew’s Crescent, in Berwick, was not in court on Thursday, December 19, and is expected to begin his jail term on Friday.
He pleaded guilty earlier this year to eight counts of inciting sexual activity on a child and was also ordered to be monitored electronically as part of the suspended sentence while signing the sex offenders’ register for a decade.
Detective Constable Anthony Murray said in October: "I want to thank the victim for her bravery during what has been and continues to be a very difficult time for her.
“The courageous actions of this woman have helped convict a sex offender and I hope her bravery encourages other victims of sexual assault to come forward knowing they will be supported fully be specialist officers.”Anyone who has been victim of rape, sexual assault or abuse is asked to contact police on 101 or use the reporting incident form on the Northumbria Police website.
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Hide AdThey can also contact the 24/7 crisis helpline on 0333 3448283 or find out more about the force’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre at www.reachsarc.org.uk.
Victims First Northumbria can be reached at 0800 0113116.