[2025] EWCA Crim 1320

MR JUSTICE PEPPERALL:

The provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 apply to this appeal. Accordingly, no matter relating to the victim of this offence shall, during her lifetime, be included in any publication if it is likely to lead members of the public to identify her as the victim of that offence. Given the family connection between this appellant and his victim, this appeal has therefore been listed under the cipher "XBV" and neither the appellant nor the victim will be named in this judgment.

On 4 July 2024, in the Crown Court at Sheffield, the appellant pleaded guilty to an offence of sexual offence of a child under 13, contrary to section 7(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, but not guilty to her rape. Subsequently, on 24 September 2024, the appellant pleaded guilty to rape of a child under 13, contrary to section 5 of the 2003 Act. On 25 October 2024, at the same court, His Honour Judge Slater sentenced the appellant (then aged 21) to 8 years' imprisonment, with an extended licence period of 1 year. Further, the judge imposed a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order (a “SHPO”) and the victim surcharge. As a result of his conviction, the appellant was required to comply with the notification provisions under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The appellant now appeals against sentence by leave of Bryan J.