WOLVERHAMPTON SEX PREDATOR HAS JAIL TERM CUT
A man convicted of sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman and subsequently accusing her of deception has had six months trimmed from his jail sentence.Benjamin Hezekiah O'Meally, aged 56, committed the assault while living in a bail hostel on Clay Lane, Langley, Oldbury.
His crime resulted in a conviction for rape, and in 2009, Wolverhampton Crown Court sentenced him to a minimum term of nine years and three months.
Although his conviction was initially upheld, his sentence was reduced by half a year earlier this year following a legal review that found his original penalty had been inappropriately increased due to a breach of a sexual offences prevention order.
O'Meally had a history of similar offences dating back to the 1990s.
During his appeal, it was also brought to light that in May, he had threatened to kill the victim if she declined to have sex with him.
The Court of Appeal, including Lord Justice Fulford, Mr Justice Spencer, and Mr Justice Holgate, rejected his appeal, citing strong evidence against him, including his past convictions and the credibility of the victim.
While his sentence was reduced, he remains in custody and can only be released if authorities determine he no longer poses a risk to the public.
