Rotherham sex offender has jail term doubled

A violent sex offender from Rotherham who groomed two teenage girls was given an "unduly lenient" six-year jail sentence by a crown crown judge, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Three appeal judges doubled 28-year-old Lee Pearson's prison term from six to twelve years following an appeal hearing in London.

Lord Justice Fulford, the most senior judge on the appeal panel, said Recorder Anton Lodge had imposed a sentence which was lenient to a "significant degree" following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court in June.

Pearson had been convicted of rape, sexual assault and of having sexual activity with a child, after entering not guilty pleas, appeal judges were told.