A man who was jailed for sexually abusing an underage girl has seen his “excessive” prison sentence slashed by appeal judges.
Ifzaal Ahmad, 43, of Platt Close, Accrington, assaulted the girl by kissing her and touching her in a sexual manner.
He consistently denied doing anything wrong, but was convicted of attacking the girl.
He was jailed for 10 years at Manchester Crown Court last September for sexual assault.
But, after an appeal by his lawyers, three of the country’s top judges slashed the sentence to eight years at London’s Court of Appeal.
Reading from an impact statement from the victim, Lord Justice Laws said she thought the attacks had had “minimal impact” on her life so far.
The court heard Ahmad was of previous good character, but the revelation of his offending had devastated his life.
Appealing against the sentence, his lawyers argued that the 10-year term was too tough.
Allowing the appeal, Lord Justice Laws said: “After careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that there is merit in this appeal.
“A just sentence, in our judgement, given all the circumstances of the case, including the fact that the appellant contested the accusation, would have been one of eight years.”
