A rapist from South Gloucestershire has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Attorney General, Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, who presented the case at the Court of Appeal.
Michael Smith, 26, raped a woman after a party in August 2017. When the victim threatened to report him, Smith made false allegations about her to the police. Smith later admitted to work colleagues that he had raped the victim and the matter was reported to the police.
During the course of the investigation, police also found four extreme pornographic images on Smith’s phone; one of which had been distributed by Smith to a WhatsApp group.
On 20 October 2020, Smith was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months’ imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court. Following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, on 9 February the sentence was found to be unduly lenient and has been increased to a sentence of 5 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.
After the hearing at the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General said:
Smith’s repulsive actions, and the extent to which he lied to cover up his guilt, were truly shocking and caused severe harm to the victim. I am pleased I was able to personally present this case and I welcome his sentence being increased.
