Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Sentence uplift for man convicted of sexual offences (11 July 2017)

Date: 11/07/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Sentence uplift for man convicted of sexual offences

A man who indecently assaulted two 13-year-old-boys in Lancing, West Sussex, has had his suspended prison sentence quashed and has been jailed for four years.

Darrell Kent, 34, was convicted on of a total of six charges after a trial at Lewes Crown Court in February 2017 – five charges involved the indecent assault of males between 2000 and 2002, as well as one count of indecency with a child between 2001 and 2002.

In April 2017, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years – and was also ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as being given a tagged curfew for six months and a supervision order for two years.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) referred the case to the Attorney General’s office on the grounds that the sentence was unduly lenient.

With the consent of the Attorney General’s office, the case was then heard by the Court of Appeal, which imposed a four-year prison term on Kent.

A lawyer from CPS South East’s dedicated Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, Lorna Lee, said:

“It was the view of the CPS that the original sentence in this case was unduly lenient for a number of reasons.

“The defendant held a position of trust, which he breached repeatedly – essentially grooming his victims, who were afraid and did not know what to do, or in whom to confide.

“Over time, they became compliant with what Kent’s actions, which escalated to more serious sexual assaults – as one of his victims put it, the defendant was essentially ‘testing boundaries’ with him.

“It was clear from the evidence the victims gave and their impact statements how this had affected them and the anguish it had caused them.

“Kent made no admission of guilt; instead, forcing his victims to give evidence – and, in his defence, called a number of witnesses to say he could not have committed the crimes he was later found guilty of: in essence, accusing his victims of lying.

“He showed no remorse or acceptance for what he had done – and now his victims know that he has been imprisoned for the crimes he committed against them.”


Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving sexual offences, including rape, attempted rape, conspiracy to rape, sexual assault, grooming, child sexual exploitation, historical charges involving child sexual abuse, revenge porn, prostitution – and making, downloading, or distributing indecent images.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on sexual offences, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.