Child rapists' prison terms doubled

Three judges in London agreed with the Government's most senior law officer, Attorney General Baroness Scotland, that the original sentences imposed in separate cases on window cleaner Keith Fenn and chef Simon Foster were "unduly lenient" and should be increased.

Fenn, whose victim was a 10-year-old girl, and Foster, who raped a girl aged 12, both had new jail sentences of four years imposed by the court.

Fenn, now 25, of Blackbird Leys, Oxford, who had been due to be released on October 19, and Foster, 26, of Britannia Avenue, Dartmouth, Devon, were not present for the ruling by Lord Justice Latham, Mr Justice Stanley Burnton and Mr Justice Pitchford.

Fenn was sentenced in June at Oxford Crown Court by Judge Julian Hall after pleading guilty to two charges of rape. Because of the amount of time he has already spent in prison awaiting sentence, he had a release date of October 19.

The appeal judges were told on his behalf that he had "genuinely" believed the girl was 16.

Foster was jailed at Exeter Crown Court in June by Judge Jeffery Rucker after he admitted a series of sexual offences against a 12-year-old girl, including two counts of rape.

The pair met on the internet, and then on three occasions on Teignmouth seafront in south Devon. The girl told him she was 15.

Welcoming the ruling, Baroness Scotland said: "Keith Fenn and Simon Foster's victims were young and vulnerable girls, there was a considerable disparity in age between the offenders and victims and the sentences fell substantially short of the sentencing guidelines issued by the independent Sentencing Guidelines Council.

"Sentences in cases such as this need to punish offenders for the harm they cause, protect children and act as a deterrent to others."