A man from Dartford, Kent, has had his prison sentence increased from 12 to 15 years after the Attorney General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
Liam Ross, who was 29 at the time of the offences, was originally sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in March 2026. Following the Attorney General’s referral, the Court of Appeal ruled on 3 September 2026 that his sentence should be increased by three years, taking his imprisonment term to 15 years. He will also remain subject to a one-year licence extension.
The case involved the sexual exploitation and abuse of two young girls, including a 12-year-old and a 16-year-old victim. The Court heard that Ross first met the 16-year-old through social media before pursuing a sexual relationship with her. They met on several occasions, during which Ross gave the girl money.
Man Continued Offending Despite Police Warning
The Court heard that Ross had previously received a warning letter from police about the risks associated with his behaviour following an earlier incident. Despite that warning, he continued his conduct, which ultimately led to further serious offences against the young victims.
In April 2025, Ross raped the 16-year-old victim while she was unconscious after consuming alcohol, according to the case presented to the Court.
The following month, in May 2025, Ross provided the 16-year-old and a 12-year-old girl with alcohol before engaging in sexual activity with both victims. The Court heard that he raped the 12-year-old and recorded the abuse. He subsequently gave the girls money.
When police arrested Ross, officers found indecent images of children and video recordings relating to some of the offences committed in May 2025 on his mobile phone.
Victim Left With Severe Anxiety and Fear
The impact of the abuse has continued to affect the victims and their families.
In a victim personal statement, the mother of one of the girls described how her daughter no longer feels safe in her everyday life following the abuse. She also suffers from severe anxiety and depression.
The statement highlights the lasting consequences that serious sexual offences against children can have on victims and their families, extending far beyond the original crimes and into their daily lives.
Attorney General Welcomes Increased Sentence
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase Ross’s sentence following her referral.
She described Ross as a sexual predator who exploited and raped two young girls and said she welcomed the decision to impose a longer sentence.
The Attorney General also expressed her thoughts for the victims, praising their courage in coming forward. She said tackling violence against women and girls remains a major priority and that she would continue to push for sentences that properly reflect the seriousness of such offences.
Ross Originally Sentenced to 12 Years
Ross was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on 2 March 2026 to 12 years in prison, followed by a one-year licence extension.
His convictions included rape of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, paying for the sexual services of a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child, rape and sexual assault.
He was also convicted of two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child.
The Attorney General subsequently referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, arguing that the original punishment was not sufficient given the seriousness of the offending.
Court of Appeal Increases Prison Term
Following consideration of the case, the Court of Appeal increased Ross’s sentence by three years on 3 September 2026.
His prison term now stands at 15 years, with the existing one-year licence extension remaining in place.
The decision reinforces the role of the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which allows certain sentences considered unduly lenient to be referred to the Court of Appeal for review. In this case, the referral resulted in a substantial increase in the sentence imposed for the serious sexual offences committed against the two young victims.
The case also underlines the continuing focus by prosecutors, courts and the Government on ensuring that sentences for serious sexual offences involving children reflect the harm caused to victims and the gravity of the offending.
For Nigerians and other members of the diaspora living in the UK, cases involving child protection, sexual offences and changes to sentencing are important developments to understand within the British justice system. The case also highlights the importance of safeguarding children and understanding how UK authorities respond to serious offences involving vulnerable young people. Chijos News keeps Nigerians across the UK informed about major developments in British law, policing, courts, child protection and issues affecting families and communities across Britain.