Sentence increased for London man who kidnapped and sexually abused eight-year-old boy
Shane Upton has had his sentence increased at the Court of Appeal following intervention by the Solicitor General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.
A man who kidnapped and sexually abused an eight-year-old boy has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.
Shane Upton, aged 24, kidnapped the boy from a public park in Southwark in 2019. He proceeded to sexually abuse him, in both the public toilets and outside in the park.
When the boy’s mother noticed his absence the police were called. Upon seeing the police, Upton ran away but was quickly apprehended.
On 8 January 2020, Upton was found guilty of sexual assault of a child, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence. He was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court.
Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, the original sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has today been increased to a sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.
After the hearing the Solicitor General said:
“Upton abused the young victim for his own gratification, which will have a long-term impact on the young victim. The original sentence did not reflect the severity of the harm caused. I hope the Court of Appeal’s decision today gives some closure to the boy’s family.”