A CHILD rapist's jail sentence has been increased because the judge let him off too lightly.

Basildon sex offender Brian Gillard, now 75, carried out vile sex attacks on a four-year-old girl and physically and mentally abused a boy.

Gillard, then of Basildon, was sentenced to 15 years in jail with a year long extended licence.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland referred the case to the court of appeal following the sentencing at Basildon Crown Court in August.

The Court of Appeal judges agreed he deserved to spend more time in prison extending his sentence to 18-and-a-half years.

Gillard, now of Pentewan Road, St Austell, Cornwall, will still have a year long extended licence when he is eventually released aged 93.

Commenting on the sentence increase Mr Buckland, said: “Gillard carried out a campaign of abuse against two children over many years.

“I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed to increase Gillard’s sentence, and hope the victims can begin to move on from what would have been a hugely traumatic experience.”

A girl was raped repeatedly during a series of historic sex offences.

Gillard was finally brought to justice decades later after the brave victims spoke out last year.

Gillard initially denied a number of charges but on the first day of his trial at Basildon Crown Court on July 9 he admitted to cruelty to a child or young person, indecent assault on a girl, gross indecency with a child on multiple occasions, three counts of rape of a girl under 16 and one count of rape of a girl under 16 on multiple occasions.

Following the original sentence being passed Det Con Tiffany Jennings said: "He committed vile offences against the most vulnerable of all victims.

"I hope that their courage will give other victims the confidence to come forward.”

Essex Police, and other forces across the country, have seen a significant increase in offences being reported including historic sex crimes with paedophiles finally punished.