Tipton sex attacker loses bid for reduction in jail sentence
A hotel concierge who was jailed after he subjected an American businesswoman to a brutal sex assault in her room has lost his appeal to cut his eight-year sentence.
Paul Abercrombie, from Tipton, knocked out one of the woman's teeth and left her battered and bruised after trying to rape her in her room at the Westbury Hotel, in Mayfair, central London, in September 2012.
Abercrombie, 24, of Scott Street, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court last May of sexual assault, attempted rape, and assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
Yesterday, he took his case to the Court of Appeal in a bid for a cut in his sentence, however, his arguments were dismissed by top judges, Lord Justice Fulford, Mr Justice Hickinbottom and Mrs Justice Simler.
Giving judgment and upholding the eight-year jail term, Lord Justice Fulford said Abercrombie had completely changed the woman's life.
She had been in London on a business trip and spoken to him on only one occasion, asking for directions to a theatre and for a restaurant recommendation.
At the appeal, Abercrombie, who has a three-year-old daughter, argued that the eight-year sentence was too long.
But Lord Justice Fulford said: "It's clear that these events have affected the victim's marriage and her social life and her work life.
"The process of giving evidence further and significantly increased her sense of nervous anxiety. This was a determined attack, which lasted for a significant period of time."
The sentence was upheld.
