A rapist who targeted younger girls through social media had his jail sentence cut on appeal because of his youth.
Darren Edwards, 21, was jailed for 10 years earlier this year after he was convicted of crimes including rape, underage sex and sending indecent messages to girls under 16 he contacted through Snapchat.
But Court of Criminal Appeal judges in Edinburgh yesterday ruled the jail term imposed by the trial judge was excessive.
They quashed the original sentence and ordered that Edwards serve six years. He’ll be under supervision for a further three years.
The appeal judges said: “The appellant’s offending reveals a course of predatory sexual conduct involving 13 girls under the age of 16 and two under 13.
“Four charges involved unlawful sexual intercourse and there was one of rape. The offences were serious and required to be dealt with by a significant period of custody.
“The question is whether the total of 10 years in custody is excessive, having regard to the appellant’s youth. He was aged between 17 and 19 years. The court is persuaded that the sentence is excessive.”
Edwards, of Dundee, was convicted of a total of 17 charges at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The appeal judges threw out a conviction challenge brought by Edwards’ lawyer.
