Paedophile has sentence increased after Solicitor General鈥檚 referral
Richard Hyde-Gomes has sentence increased to 16 years
Lady Justice
A man who repeatedly sexually abused a young girl over a number of years has today had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred it for being too low.
Richard Hyde-Gomes, who was in his early 30s at the time, sexually abused his victim over a period of several years while she was under the age of 15. This included one occasion of attempted rape. Hyde-Gomes was arrested after the victim managed to record him apologising to her.
Hyde-Gomes was originally sentenced at Croydon Crown Court in April, where he received 10 years鈥� imprisonment. Yesterday, after the Solicitor General鈥檚 referral, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 16 years.
Commenting on the sentence increase, the Solicitor General said:
Hyde-Gomes carried out a campaign of sexual abuse against his victim over a number of years, robbing her of her childhood. I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed to increase his sentence, and hope that this brings some comfort to the victim.