Court of Appeal quashes Fosse Park kidnapper's life term
A convicted rapist who was jailed for the kidnap and sexual assault of a Leicester woman has had his life sentence overturned.
In November 2012, Paul Simon Smith of Welford Road, Blaby, kidnapped a 31-year-old woman from Fosse Park.
He went on to admit kidnap and sexual assault and was given a life sentence.
But Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas said the offences were not serious enough for a life term. Smith will serve six years and five years on licence.
The Court of Appeal heard Smith got into the woman's car, told her not to look at him and forced her to get him beer from the back of the car, as well as demanding money.
He then started drinking and stroking the woman's leg, telling her that he "wanted" her.
Smith, who the court heard had a history of sexual offending - he attacked prostitutes twice, raping one of them - told the woman: "I don't want to be doing any of this.
"I don't want to hurt you. Sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do. I've no choice. I'm in a bad situation."
The woman managed to get free when they got out of the car.
He drove off but crashed the car and was arrested at his house a few days later.
Passing judgement on Tuesday following the appeal in November 2013, Lord Thomas said: "This was a difficult sentencing exercise because Smith was a dangerous man whose crime was much less serious than those he had previously committed.
"There were echoes of former crimes but he had, on this occasion, stopped short of more serious offences.
"The victim's ordeal, while terrifying, was relatively short."
He added the "extended" licence period of five years, on top of his six-year term, would protect the public from Smith in the future.