Overview

• A three-judge panel led by Lord Justice Edis concluded on July 30 that Darbyshire’s initial 15-year sentence did not reflect the severity of his offences
• Darbyshire admitted 19 offences including rape, sexual activity with children and making indecent images of minors
• He groomed one girl, identified as V1, via social media from age 13 and abused her until she was 15 before introducing her to eight other offenders in Bolton
• The court upheld the original prison terms for the eight co-defendants, who received sentences between two and 17 years for a combined 37 offences
• Solicitor General Lucy Rigby welcomed the increased term as a necessary correction under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme