Rape sentence increased by judges

Ryder admitted attacking the 19-year-old

A rapist who struck in the grounds of a Liverpool church has had his sentence increased by the Court of Appeal.

Leslie Ryder, 24, of no fixed address, attacked a 19-year-old woman at St Michael-in-the-Hamlet on St Michael's Church Road, Toxteth, in April.

He was originally sentenced to four years and four months, but it was increased to seven years after it was agreed it was "unduly lenient".

Merseyside Police said they were "delighted" with the decision.

'Serious offence'

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Attorney General said the sentence passed at Liverpool Crown Court "did not reflect the gravity of the offence".

Ryder, who admitted the offence, had grabbed the trainee teacher off the street near the church grounds as she made her way back from the cinema to her halls of residence in Aigburth.

The court heard he had a pregnant girlfriend, but frog-marched his victim into the graveyard.

He told her: "Don't scream, just walk with me."

Lord Justice Gage said: "We have reached the conclusion that the sentence passed was not only lenient, it was also unduly so.

"This was a very serious offence of rape occurring in an attack late at night.

"Ryder threatened the woman with a knife and subjected her to conduct that the trial judge described as sexual indignities."