A BRADFORD sex offender has been sent to jail after an appeal's court agreed the original sentence was too lenient.

Sibtain Abbas, 26, was originally sentenced by Bradford Crown Court on August 10 to 15 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to sexual assault, stalking and battery.

Abbas, formerly of Kensington Street, was also ordered to carry out 200 hours' unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Today the Court of Appeal overturned the original sentence following a referral by Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC.

The suspended sentence was quashed and replaced with three years in prison.

Speaking after the hearing Mr Buckland said: “Abbas’ offending has had a lasting impact on the victim and I referred the case to the Court of Appeal because I felt the original sentence failed to fully reflect the seriousness of the crime.

“This sexual offence was the culmination of planned stalking of the victim, which caused her serious alarm or distress and had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities.

“I hope this three-year immediate prison term sends a strong message that crimes of this nature will face the proper consequences.”