'Predatory' Dudley paedophile loses sentence appeal
A 'predatory' paedophile who carried out a campaign of sex abuse against a vulnerable young girl has been told by top judges his jail term was not a day too long.
Joseph Royton Morton, aged 37, groomed his victim and subjected her to more than 50 sexual attacks.
Morton, of Central Drive, Coseley, was jailed for 22 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on December 16 last year.
He had been found guilty of 12 sexual offences against his victim, including four rapes.
Yesterday, Lord Justice Laws, Mr Justice Mitting and Mr Justice Walker, sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court, heard Morton's lawyers argue he was treated too harshly.
The court heard his victim was so traumatised she had self-harmed and even attempted to take her own life in the aftermath of his offending.
Lord Justice Laws said Morton's 'predatory instincts had taken over' and he had 'conducted a campaign of sexual abuse.'
Dismissing his appeal against sentence the judge added: "The victim must have been suffering severe psychological distress.
"There was no remorse and the offending was at the top end of such behaviour.
"The sentence of 22 years reflected the totality of the offending."
