North Anston: Sex attacker has sentenced doubled by Court of Appeal

Lee Pearson, 28, of Wright Street, was jailed for six years at Sheffield Crown Court in June after being convicted of rape, sexual assault and six counts of sexual activity with a child.

The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient scheme.

And today (Thursday, 18th September) the sentence was doubled to 12 years.

Pearson befriended the girls when they were both 14-years-old and the abuse began several months later in September 2011.

He assaulted both girls on numerous occasions and threatened one of his victims with violence.

The abuse continued for almost a year before one of the victims plucked up the courage to contact police in August 2012.

Detective Constable James Crossley, from South Yorkshire Police’s Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, said: “This man exploited these girls, who were vulnerable due to their age, for his own sexual gratification.”

“The new sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the level of coercion, grooming and threatening behaviour displayed by the defendant towards his victims.”

“I would like to commend the bravery of both young girls for reporting the offences to police and for the dignity they have shown when facing their attacker in court.”

“They have been supported throughout this ordeal by specially trained officers and will continue to receive support in the future as they attempt to move on with their lives.”

“I hope today’s outcome allows them to try to put this horrific ordeal behind them.”

“I would urge anyone who is, or has been, a victim of sexual exploitation to come forward and report it to police.”

“We will investigate it thoroughly and do everything in our power to bring perpetrators of sexual offences to justice.”