Rapist has 'unduly lenient' sentence increased

Craig Welsh was originally jailed for seven years after a trial

A man convicted of rape and non-fatal strangulation has had his prison sentence increased after judges ruled it was not harsh enough.

Craig Welsh was jailed for seven years in June but a "gross error" was made when calculating his jail term, appeal judges heard.

Welsh, 37, previously of Scarborough, denied the offences, which took place in 2023, but was convicted after a trial at York Crown Court.

At a Court of Appeal hearing on Friday, his sentence was increased to eight years and nine months.

After the attack, his victim was left suffering physically, emotionally and mentally, felt "scared" and was in "constant survival mode", judges were told.

During the hearing, lawyers for the solicitor general challenged Welsh's sentence as being "unduly lenient".

Barrister Ben Holt said the judge had taken an "inappropriate" approach when determining the sentence for the rape offence and had "erred" by reducing the sentence to reflect prison conditions.

"When one looks at the entirety of the sentencing process there was reduction made at every stage of it," Mr Holt added.

Lord Justice Dingemans, overseeing the case, said the sentencing judge had taken the "wrong" approach, ruling that Welsh's overall sentence should be increased.

'Danger to women'

Det Con Tracey Brewster, of North Yorkshire Police, said after Welsh's sentencing in June his denials had "subjected his already traumatised victim to the ordeal of a court trial".

"She has shown courage and strength in reporting the crimes and providing the evidence to help secure justice," she said.

"Welsh is a danger to women and is now rightfully serving a prison sentence for what he has done."

Det Con Brewster added: "While the lasting effects of the ordeal are traumatic and life-changing for the victim, I hope she can draw some strength from the outcome at court."

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