Two rapists hit with hefty sentence hikes after Solicitor General’s intervention. The Court of Appeal has dramatically increased the prison terms for Paul Watson and Anthony McNamara following a review sparked by concerns from Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP.
Paul Watson Upgraded to Life Behind Bars
Watson, 45, from Chorley, terrorised a woman between January and April 2024 with relentless coercive control and multiple rapes. The victim only submitted out of fear for her safety. Initially handed a 17-year sentence, his punishment was scrapped and replaced with life imprisonment on 3 April 2025 – a verdict reflecting the horrific nature and duration of his crimes.
Anthony McNamara’s Sentence Nearly Doubled to 23 Years
McNamara, 46, from County Durham, groomed and repeatedly raped a child from the age of just 12. Even after his May 2024 arrest and a strict bail ban on contacting the victim, he brazenly broke the rules and continued his abuse.
Originally jailed for 13 years, the Court of Appeal boosted his sentence on 3 April to a 23-year term – comprising 18 years in custody plus a 5-year extended licence to protect the public.
Solicitor General Demands Justice That Fits the Crime
“I am sickened to read about these rapists’ crimes, who both repeatedly preyed on their victims and inflicted terror upon them. I am glad that the court has rightly decided to increase both of these sentences, and my thoughts today are with the victims who suffered unimaginable abuse.” – Lucy Rigby KC MP
Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme in Action
These boosts come under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) Scheme, which allows the Court of Appeal to review shockingly low sentences in serious cases. The government is making clear: sexual violence and child abuse offenders won’t get off lightly.
