2023-05-19
4.5 years for systematic rape and abuse of sisters too lenient, appeal court finds
Stage: Appeal
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Kennedy said that the headline sentence of nine years identified for the rape offences had not been unduly lenient but the mitigation accounted for and suspended portions imposed did not reflect the offending conduct. "In our view, the discount permitted for mitigation and the length of the period which was suspended was too great," said Ms Justice Kennedy. She then quashed the original sentence of four-and-a-half years and re-sentenced Rafter to seven years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.