A PAEDOPHILE teacher who preyed on his own pupils has had his jail term more than doubled after his original sentence was judged to have been “unduly lenient”.

Richard Oldham, 32, was jailed for just six months in September when he admitted a catalogue of offences while teaching in York - including sexual assaults against two 10-year-old boys, voyeurism and making and possessing indecent images of children.

Sitting at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Rodney Jameson QC told Oldham he had "demons to wrestle with" but added he was "confident you are man enough to do it".

However, Solicitor General Oliver Heald asked the Court of Appeal to look at the case again and today, December 5, the sentence was increased to 13 months.

Lord Justice Treacy, sitting with Mr Justice Wilkie and Mrs Justice Andrews, said the six-month term had failed to reflect the repeated "abuses of power and trust" committed by Oldham.

He said Oldham was guilty of "highly exploitative conduct against vulnerable boys who no doubt found themselves powerlesss to resist a person in authority.”

The judge added: “Six months was unduly lenient and failed to recognise the different types of offences committed over a period of time, and the breach of trust of victims who were under the age of 13."

Oldham committed his crimes while teaching at primary schools in the York area, where he taught between 2004 and 2012. He later moved to Cornwall.

Mr Heald welcomed the finding and said: “Richard Oldham abused his position of trust and acted in a way that was wholly inappropriate for a teacher, committing sexual offences against young boys who were in his charge and entitled to be safe. “

He added: “Sexual crimes, especially those which breach the trust between a pupil and teacher, should be punished appropriately.

"Today the court sent a clear message that anyone who violates the trust of children they have been charged to look after will face the proper consequences.”

Detective Sergeant Adam Normanton, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “I am pleased that the court of appeal has taken the decision to increase Richard Oldham’s sentence to more accurately reflect the gravity of his offences.”

He added: “His victims showed great courage to come forward and report what happened to them and I hope that the extension of Oldham’s sentence will give them a sense that justice has been done.”