‘Danger’ paedophile fails to get sentence cut
A “COMMITTED paedophile” caged for horrific sex crimes against a schoolgirl he treated “like some animal” deserved his 22-year sentence, a judge has ruled.
David Hart subjected his vulnerable victim to repeated sex attacks when she was as young as 11. He also shared video footage of his attacks with like-minded perverts on the web, Mr Justice Spencer told London’s Court of Appeal.
“These offences were among the most serious that one can imagine,” the judge added.
Hart, 61, was jailed for 22 years at Swansea Crown Court in September last year after jurors convicted him of 16 charges – 12 of rape, two of indecent assault, one of assault by penetration and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Labelled a “dangerous” offender, Hart was also ordered to serve three extra years on licence after leaving jail.
His offences included multiple rapes against his young victim.
Hart, of Morriston, Swansea, challenged his sentence in the appeal court, claiming it was too harsh and should be cut.
But Mr Justice Spencer, sitting with two other judges, ruled his punishment fair and described Hart as a “committed paedophile”.
The judge refused Hart permission to appeal against sentence, branding his challenge “totally without merit”.