Paedophile housemaster wins cut to jail term
A paedophile housemaster who abused a boy he was supposed to be caring for has had his jail sentence cut by top judges.
Pensioner, Dennis Grain, committed crimes of the 'utmost gravity' against the boy when he was aged between 11 and 14, London's Appeal Court heard.
The 84-year-old, of Dunhampton Park, Stourport, was a housemaster at an approved school where the youngster had been detained at the time, said Mr Justice Edis.
And his crimes, committed as many as 40 years ago, had left the victim suffering 'long-term damage'.
Grain admitted indecent assault and six serious sexual assaults at Chester Crown Court on April 4.
He was jailed for seven-and-a-half years and ordered to serve an extra year on licence following his release.
Grain had previously been jailed for seven years in 1995 for a series of crimes against other children. But his lawyers argued his latest sentence was far too tough.
They said he had given police a piece of paper with names of children he had abused when he was under investigation before the 1995 prosecution.
He wanted to have all his crimes dealt with at once, the court heard. But the victim had originally denied at the time he was one of those molested.
Given Grain's age, his earlier admissions, and his 'good character' since his crimes, it was wrong to jail him for a second time, lawyers argued.
Mr Justice Edis said the victim had been 'ashamed' to talk until 2014.
However, Mr Justice Edis, who was sitting with Lady Justice Sharp and Judge Neil Ford QC, ruled Grain had not been given enough credit for pleading guilty.
His latest sentence was reduced to six years, eight months.
