Staffordshire paedophiles to have 'lenient' jail terms increased
Two businessmen from Staffordshire who were jailed for sexually abusing a young girl have had their 'unduly lenient' sentences increased by top judges.
Robert Dunn, aged 47 and Scott Cordner, 42, preyed on the vulnerability of the girl to commit a 'depraved' attack.
Dunn was jailed for two years and eight months and Cordner for six years at Stafford Crown Court in August.
But after a reference to the Court of Appeal by the attorney general, Jeremy Wright QC, the sentences were increased.
Lord Justice Pitchford said the terms were too soft and upped each of them by two years.
The court heard the men had admitted numerous child porn offences and one count of sexual touching.
Cordner, of Ferrers Road, Yoxall, near Lichfield, was also sentenced for three assaults involving an older child.
The pair met in an internet chat room and had discussed their sick fantasies on there, the court heard.
That led to them meeting up and, on one occasion, Dunn, formerly of Windmill Bank, Gentleshaw but more recently of The Parks, Trentham, Stoke, had assaulted a little girl with Cordner's help.
The case reached court after a reference by Mr Wright on the basis that the sentences were 'unduly lenient'.
Lawyers for the pair urged the judges not to increase their terms, saying they had shown remorse and were doing what they could to address their problems.
Lord Justice Pitchford, sitting with Mrs Justice Cox and Judge Anthony Morris QC, accepted there was mitigation.
"There was, in this case, undoubtedly remorse – the men were, on reflection, shocked by their own depravity," he said.
"We do however accept the submissions of the attorney general. We conclude that the sentence was unduly lenient. It was a depraved sexual assault on an infant child."
Dunn's total sentence was increased to four years and eight months and Cordner's to eight years.
When they were sentenced in August, Judge Mark Eades told them they had a 'dark secret' and were both attracted to young girls.
The offences against the first girl came to light when Cordner's wife was using her husband's computer in January last year and found his conversations with Dunn. The second case came to light when another girl made a report to Childline.
