SENIOR judges have decided not to increase the sentence handed to a paedophile who twice abused a young boy and was caught with more than 4,000 indecent images of children. 

Predator David Pennery's seven-year jail sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme by the Attorney General. 

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The case was heard on Friday but judges opted not to increase the 25-year-old's sentence.

It means the former Colchester Zoo worker is likely to serve three-and-a-half years in jail and the remainder on licence when he is released in late 2020. 

As well as the vile assaults on the boy, who was aged four and five at the time, Pennery was also caught with more than 4,000 indecent images of children as well as about 800 sickening videos on his computers and USB devices.

The 25-year-old, of Raynor Road, in Colchester, was handed the seven year sentence in June at Ipswich Crown Court after admitting a total of six charges, including three counts of sexually assaulting a child aged under 13, in Colchester, in March 2014, and three counts of having indecent images on his laptop between April 2013 and December last year.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General said: “After careful consideration, the Attorney General referred the case of David Pennery to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

"The case was heard on 8th September.

"The Court of Appeal decided not to increase the sentence.”