A paedophile who abducted and sexually assaulted an eight-year-old boy in Burgess Park has had his sentence increased after the UK’s solicitor general – one of the highest lawyers in the land – intervened.
Twenty-four-year-old Upton was found guilty on January 8, 2020, of child sexual assault, causing a child under thirteen to engage in sexual activity, and kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence.
The victim had been playing tennis in the park with his mother nearby. He was assaulted and kidnapped when he went to the toilet.
Upton was originally sentenced eleven years in prison, which has now been raised to fourteen years by the Court of Appeal after it was ruled unduly lenient.
The solicitor general, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC, who referred the case for review said: “Upton abused the young victim for his own gratification, which will have a long-term impact on the young victim.
“The original sentence did not reflect the severity of the harm caused. I hope the Court of Appeal’s decision today has given some closure to the boy’s family.”