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Artist Graham Ovenden jailed following 'unduly lenient' sentence Artist Graham Ovenden jailed after 'unduly lenient' sentence
(35 minutes later)
Internationally renowned artist Graham Ovenden has been jailed after his suspended sentence for child sex offences was found to be "unduly lenient" at the Court of Appeal. Internationally-renowned artist Graham Ovenden has been jailed after his suspended sentence for child sex offences was found by the Court of Appeal to be "unduly lenient".
Ovenden, 70, of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, has had his sentence increased to two years and three months in custody.Ovenden, 70, of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, has had his sentence increased to two years and three months in custody.
In June, he was given a 12-month term, suspended for two years.In June, he was given a 12-month term, suspended for two years.
He was convicted at Truro Crown Court of six counts of indecency with a child and one of indecent assault.He was convicted at Truro Crown Court of six counts of indecency with a child and one of indecent assault.
He was cleared on three counts of indecency and two of indecent assault. After his trial, Ovenden was cleared on three counts of indecency and two of indecent assault.
Ovenden was accused of abusing children, as young as six, who posed for his paintings in the 1970s and '80s. He was accused of abusing children, as young as six, who posed for his paintings in the 1970s and '80s at his studio in Cornwall and former home in Hounslow, west London.
'No remorse''No remorse'
The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal by Attorney General Dominic Grieve and was reviewed by the Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, sitting with Mr Justice Henriques and Mr Justice Blake. The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal by Attorney General Dominic Grieve and reviewed by Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, sitting with Mr Justice Henriques and Mr Justice Blake.
Lord Thomas, who said Ovenden had not shown a "shred of remorse" for his victims, ruled that the sentence should not have been suspended and imposed the prison term. Lord Thomas, who said Ovenden had not shown a "shred of remorse" for his victims, ruled the sentence passed at Plymouth Crown Court should not have been suspended and imposed the prison term.
The judges also heard a bid by Ovenden, who denied abusing his subjects, to challenge his conviction. The judges rejected the defendant's claims that his interest in young girls was artistic and not sexual.
He had previously admitted taking the pictures of children, including those in various states of undress, but claimed they were not indecent. Lord Thomas said the girls had "no understanding of the true purpose" behind what Ovenden was doing.
The court rejected the application for permission to appeal, ruling that the verdicts were "safe". "There was no doubt that his purpose was sexual," he said. "There is no doubt that he had a sexual interest in children."
He added Ovenden's reputation as a landscape artist enabled those who were closest to the children to trust him.
The judges heard a bid by the defendant, who denied abusing his subjects, to challenge his conviction.
'Punished appropriately''Punished appropriately'
Speaking after the hearing, the attorney general said: "Graham Ovenden committed terrible sexual offences against vulnerable young girls who were in his charge and ought to have felt safe. He manipulated them and abused his position of trust. He had previously admitted taking the pictures of children, including those in various states of undress, but claimed they were not indecent.
The court rejected his application for permission to appeal, ruling the verdicts were "safe".
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Grieve said: "Graham Ovenden committed terrible sexual offences against vulnerable young girls who were in his charge and ought to have felt safe. He manipulated them and abused his position of trust.
"The Court of Appeal agrees that the 12-month suspended sentence handed to him was unduly lenient, and I am satisfied they have replaced it with 27 months' custody."The Court of Appeal agrees that the 12-month suspended sentence handed to him was unduly lenient, and I am satisfied they have replaced it with 27 months' custody.
"It is right that sexual crimes, whether committed many years ago or more recently, should be punished appropriately.""It is right that sexual crimes, whether committed many years ago or more recently, should be punished appropriately."
Ovenden's artwork formed part of a ruse for abusing girls at his studio in Cornwall and former home in Hounslow, west London.
He would make them dress in Victorian clothing before removing it and committing indecent acts.
Following Ovenden's conviction, the Tate removed more than 30 prints from its online collection.Following Ovenden's conviction, the Tate removed more than 30 prints from its online collection.