Paedophile sentence under review

Porter abused his position of trust in the Jehovah's Witnesses

The case of a paedophile who sexually assaulted children is to be reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Michael Porter, 38, of Okehampton Close, north London, got a three-year community rehabilitation order for abusing young boys.

The Attorney General has said Porter's sentence, imposed at Bristol Crown Court last month, was "unduly lenient".

Porter used his position in the Jehovah's Witnesses to abuse victims in Clevedon over a 14-year period.

One was an 18-month-old baby.

A relieved public will greatly welcome this common sense decision to review this wicked abuser's sentence Dan Norris, Labour MP

Porter pleaded guilty to 25 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency on young boys.

The Court of Appeal will now review the case to decide whether to increase Porter's sentence.

A statement from the Attorney General's office said: "After a careful review, the Attorney General Baroness Scotland has decided to refer the sentence.

"She considers the sentence to be unduly lenient.

"It will now be for the Court of Appeal to decide at a future hearing whether or not to increase the sentence."

Judge Tom Crowther opted not to jail the self-confessed paedophile after hearing he had undergone therapy.

Dan Norris, Labour MP for Wansdyke, Somerset, and a former child protection officer, welcomed the Attorney General's decision.

"A relieved public will greatly welcome this common sense decision to review this wicked abuser's sentence," he said.