A part-time judge has come under fire after describing a convicted sex offender as “Jack the lad” during sentencing, drawing sharp criticism from a Court of Appeal judge. Recorder John Hardy made the controversial statement while sentencing Aaron Hewson, 33, for three sexual assaults at Norwich Crown Court in April.
During an appeal hearing on Thursday, Lady Justice Macur, who presided over the case, expressed her strong disapproval of Recorder Hardy’s choice of words. She decried the use of the phrase “Jack the lad” during the sentencing of a serious sex offender.
Originally sentenced to three years and 11 months in April, Hewson, from Cromer, Norfolk, saw his sentence increased to seven years at the Court of Appeal. Three appeal judges – Lady Justice Macur, Mrs Justice Cockerill, and Mr. Justice Murray – determined that the initial sentence was unduly lenient, following an appeal by Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson.
Hewson had been found guilty after a trial for three sexual assaults and was known to have prior convictions for violence. Additionally, during his youth, he had been convicted of sex offences and had admitted to possessing an “extreme” pornographic image.
Charles Burton, who represented Hewson, argued against increasing the sentence, maintaining that the original judgment was not unduly lenient. However, the appeal judges noted significant flaws in Recorder Hardy’s approach to sentencing, which contributed to their decision to increase the sentence to seven years.
Lady Justice Macur strongly objected to Recorder Hardy’s characterization of Hewson as a “Jack the lad character,” stressing that the nature of his offences was predatory. The judge’s choice of words was deemed inappropriate, given the gravity of the crimes committed.
