Paedophile has prison sentence halved by top judges
A Kidderminster man who pleaded guilty to child abduction and sexual activity with a child had his jail term almost halved by top judges.
Stefan Phipps-Waldron, aged 23, of Abbey Road, Habberley, was caged for 28 months at Worcester Crown Court on May 1.
He was also handed a restraining order banning him from any contact with the boy until he became an adult.
Soon after the boy turned 15, he was twice reported missing and each time was found at Phipps-Waldron's address, London's Criminal Court of Appeal heard.
Phipps-Waldron was served with a "harbouring notice" by police - warning him not to have any further contact with the lad.
But they continued to stay in touch through telephone calls, texts and Facebook messages, the court heard.
Phipps-Waldron used a false female Facebook profile in a bid to cover up what was going on.
At one point, police found the boy hiding on the flat roof at Phipps-Waldron's home.
Mr Justice Green told the court how Phipps-Waldron would hold hands with the boy and kiss and cuddle him.
He said he was waiting until the boy turned 16 or 18 before 'going further'.
Martin Butterworth, for Phipps-Waldron, argued his sentence was too tough - and Mr Justice Green agreed.
There was no 'breach of trust involved' and no evidence that the boy had been plied with alcohol or drugs.
"In our judgment the appropriate sentence is 15 months," said the judge, who was sitting with Lady Justice Macur and Judge Neil Bidder QC.
As well as reducing Phipps-Waldron's jail term, Mr Justice Green quashed his restraining order.
