Rapist sentenced to 3 years in jail after appeal
A man convicted of historical rape charges was today sentenced to serve 3 years in prison after the Court of Appeal overturned his original two year suspended sentence.
Jonathan Rouse was originally convicted of five counts of historical sexual offences and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, which was suspended for two years.
After today’s ruling he was will now have to spend 3 years in jail and was ordered to surrender to a police station by the end of the day.
Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP personally appeared in court to argue case that the original sentence which was handed down at Warwick Crown Court in November last year was unduly lenient.
Speaking after today’s hearing, the Solicitor General said:
“Sentencing in historical cases is not a straightforward process, but my view was that a suspended sentence for these offences was unduly lenient.
“I am glad the Court has imposed an immediate custodial sentence, and I hope that this increase encourages other victims of historical crimes to come forward.”