Child molester loses appeals (From Milford Mercury)

Child molester loses appeals

10:10am Thursday 16th July 2009

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A child molestor who was jailed for two years after plying his young victim with cannabis, failed in an Appeal Court challenge to his convictions and sentence on Friday.

John Paul Hughes, aged 47, of Edward Street, Milford Haven, was convicted by a Swansea Crown Court jury last September of indecent assault and supplying cannabis.

He appealed against his convictions at the Criminal Appeal Court in London, but had his case rejected by Lord Justice Keene, Mr Justice Holman and Judge Michael Stokes QC.

Having seen his convictions ruled “safe”, Hughes was dealt a further blow when the judges rejected a plea for a reduction in his prison sentence.

Lord Justice Keene told the court how, when under the influence of cannabis or alcohol, Hughes had fondled the girl’s breasts under her clothing.

He had used the cannabis to reward her for giving in to his advances.

Hughes challenged the jury’s guilty verdicts on the grounds that they were inconsistent with not guilty verdicts entered on similar counts at his trial.

Rejecting the appeal, the judge said the jury had clearly taken their task seriously and there was no “logical inconsistency” in the verdicts they delivered.

Challenging the two-year total sentence, Hughes’ lawyers said that, while prison was appropriate, two years was too long for the less serious nature of his sexual offending.

The judge said: “There were a considerable number of aggravating features. He seems to have used the cannabis as part of the process of securing his victim's compliance.

“When we put all the features together, we are not persuaded that the total sentence of two years’ imprisonment was manifestly excessive.”

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