Bristol policeman who abused position has jail term slashed

A Bristol police officer jailed for four years for satisfying his sexual urges with women victims and witnesses has had his prison sentence slashed by the Court of Appeal.

Kenny Lewis, 26, of Bilbury Close, Nailsea, was jailed at Exeter Crown Court in October after admitting eight counts of misfeasance in public office.

But following an appeal to three top judges, including the country's most senior, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, Lewis had his sentence cut to three years.

Lewis was a serving Avon and Somerset police officer when he targeted the first woman, who had witnessed a road accident, by having oral sex with her at her house. The woman claimed he orally raped her on two occasions, but the jury found him not guilty of the sexual offence, but guilty of misusing his position.

Lawyers for Lewis argued the judge had been wrong to impose sentences of four years for the three offences.

The crown court judge had said the woman was "at best grudgingly compliant" and that Lewis had told her not to report what had happened.

Allowing the appeal, Mr Justice Collins said the judge had not explained why he had sentenced on those terms.

He said: "It was wrong of the judge to have dealt with the matter in that way."