RJ [2019] EWCA Crim 1269

The appellant was convicted of sexual offences committed nearly 50 years ago against his younger half-sister, when he was 17-20 and she was 8-10 years old. He was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. He was convicted of indecency with a child, a multiple incident count of indecent assault and indecent assault. The victim had disclosed the behaviour to her mother at the time but had not been believed.

The Court was concerned with the total sentence rather than the structure by which the total was reached. He was to be sentenced for one relatively minor sexual offence and four very serious offences committed against a young victim who suffered lasting harm. The sentence was within the range open to the judge and could not be said to be manifestly excessive.