A man who sexually abused three girls over the course of more than a decade has had his sentence increased after it was referred by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.
Christopher Appleby, now 56, abused three girls over a period of 15 years between 1999 and 2014. He was convicted of 12 counts of serious sexual offences, including five counts of rape and attempted rape.
On 15 October 2021, Appleby was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, followed by 5 years on licence, at Stoke on Trent Crown Court. He was also handed an Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Following the sentencing, the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP, referred Appleby's sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
On 9 December, the Court of Appeal found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 21 years' imprisonment followed by 5 years on licence.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP said:
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.
