9:59am Wednesday 17th March 2010
A MAN who took advantage of a “vulnerable” 12-year-old while she slept has been released from jail after top judges halved his sentence.
Peter Saville, 55, was jailed for three years in November 2008 after he was convicted of sexually touching a child under 13. He was one of a number of defendants tried on child abuse charges at Southampton Crown Court last year, for alleged offences spanning a 40-year period.
Jurors at the trial heard that Lymington man, Michael Brooks, would organise parties where children would be offered to those who attended as prizes.
According to prosecutors, the parties frequently descended into orgies during which the children would be exposed to pornography and adult nudity.
Saville, of Blissford Road, Fordingbridge, was convicted of one offence against a 12-year-old girl which took place in 2004.
Lord Justice Moses, sitting at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, ruled that the three-year term went outside the sentencing guidelines.
After declaring the sentence “manifestly excessive” he cut Saville’s term to 18 months, meaning he will now be released.
The judge, who sat with Mrs Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Maddison, said that Saville did not commit any further offences between touching the girl in 2004, and when she reported the incident in 2007.
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