ANGER at the sentence passed on a paedophile whose case shocked the county is going all the way to Whitehall.

Andrew Richardson, whom detectives describe among the most dangerous offenders in Herefordshire, will serve at least three of the four years he was sentenced to for sexually abusing boys between 1988-1991.

The term reflects sentencing powers available when the offences occurred.

To his victims it is nowhere near long enough and they have said so in complaints to Herefordshire Council leader Terry James. Mr James is sending those complaints to the Lord Chancellor, along with his request for what is described as a derisory and totally inadequate sentence to be reviewed.

"The evidence (put) before the court identified one of the most the most vile and depraved attacks on young persons in the county in recent memory. If the Judge was unable to use his discretion to give a longer sentence then the system has failed."

Richardson, 32, admitted three counts of buggery and two of indecent assault against boys aged 12-14 when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court last month.