“I welcome the court’s decision to increase Smith’s sentence,” Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP said after judges reviewed the case of Brandon Smith, 25, from Denton. Her statement was issued by the Attorney General’s Office on Friday 21 November 2025.

The Court of Appeal raised Smith’s term to 17 years with a three‑year extended licence after the case was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. He had originally received 12 years and six months, plus a three‑year licence extension, at Bolton Crown Court on 30 April 2025, following conviction earlier in the year.

According to the government’s release, Smith was found guilty at Bolton Crown Court on 8 January 2025 of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault. A restraining order was also imposed. Today’s ruling increases the time he will spend in custody, with the licence extension still applying once he is released.

Details put before the court said Smith had watched his victim for months before attacking her on her morning commute on 5 July 2024. He threatened to stab her if she made a sound and later threatened to kill her mother if she reported him, the Attorney General’s Office said. The case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the ULS scheme after sentencing.

The ULS scheme is a route for checking sentences that appear far too low. Anyone can ask the Attorney General’s Office to review a Crown Court sentence within 28 days of sentencing. If officials consider it may be unduly lenient, they can refer it to the Court of Appeal, which decides whether to increase it, keep it the same, or issue guidance. This process is set out on GOV.UK.

Earlier in the year, the Attorney General’s Office reported that the Court of Appeal increased 33 of 48 sentences it heard between January and March 2025, many involving violence against women and girls. Ministers argue the scheme helps keep dangerous offenders in custody for longer when sentences fall short.

Reporting by the Guardian in August said internal government data indicated that roughly six in ten sentence increases in the first half of 2025 related to rape and serious sexual offences. That trend tallies with what frontline services across the North are seeing: persistent, serious offending is attracting tougher outcomes when challenged.

In Greater Manchester, the decision lands alongside ongoing police work to protect women and girls. GMP says tackling gender‑based violence remains a force priority, with visible patrols and prevention activity across the night‑time economy under initiatives such as Operation Lioness and Safer Streets.

In October, GMP said there were 1,500 fewer domestic abuse victims over the past year and highlighted wider use of new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders across Bury, Manchester, Tameside, Wigan, Trafford and Stockport. The force advises anyone feeling unsafe to seek help immediately and call 999 in an emergency.

Residents who believe a Crown Court sentence is far too low can ask for a review via the ULS scheme within 28 days-no legal training needed. Requests are assessed by the Attorney General’s Office and only eligible serious offences are considered, so not every case goes to appeal and not every appeal changes a sentence.

For people in Denton, Tameside and across the city‑region, today’s ruling shows the referral process is being used and, when justified, it can shift outcomes. The message is plain: predatory offending on our streets will be met with serious time when challenged.