Child abuser's 'unduly lenient' sentence increased

A man jailed for grooming and sexually abusing a child has had his sentence increased after it was deemed unduly lenient.

Yusuf Kayat, 54, from Dewsbury, was jailed for 20 years in February after he was found guilty of 17 offences at Leeds Crown Court.

The offences took place more than 30 years ago, between 1989 and 1992, when Kayat was 19 and the victim was just 10.

His sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme and, on Wednesday, his term was increased to 24 years.

Kayat began grooming the girl when she was still at primary school, driving her around in his car and buying her gifts, including alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis, the Crown Prosecution Service previously said.

After gaining her trust he sexually abused her in various locations, including in his car. He also forced her to perform sex acts on other men.

In an impact statement read out at his sentencing, the victim said that since the offending she had experienced "constant fear, anxiety, flash backs and panic attacks".

After his sentence was increased, Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said: "Yusuf Kayat's crimes were abhorrent.

"His grooming of the victim was highly calculated, who was only 10 years old when the abuse first began, before carrying out multiple sexual offences over several years.

"I welcome the court's decision to increase Kayat's sentence.

"Today my thoughts are with Kayat's victim and her family."

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