Child molesting coach has sentence reduced (From Penarth Times)

Child molesting coach has sentence reduced

A SWIMMING coach who molested a schoolgirl and gave her hush-money to buy her silence had his sentence slashed by Appeal Court judges.

Paul Miller, of Field Close, Penarth, was jailed for five years at Cardiff Crown Court last December after he was convicted of gross indecency and indecent assault.

The 45-year-old challenged his sentence on grounds that it was excessive - and the Appeal Court on Tuesday substituted a term of three years and nine months.

Mr Justice Forbes, sitting with Mr Justice Davies, said the crimes had taken a devastating toll on Miller's 12-year-old victim, causing "immeasurable" emotional damage.

There were "significant aggravating features" in the case, but Miller's offending concerned two "isolated" incidents rather than a prolonged course of conduct.

"We are persuaded that the sentence was too long," he said, substituting the lesser term. Miller's victim was lured by car to a secluded spot where he persuaded her to commit a sex act, later giving her cash "to keep quiet about what had occurred".