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Sex offences sentencing guidelines overhaul

Sex-offending celebrities could see their public image used against them when being punished as part of an overhaul of decade-old sentencing guidance for judges.

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Sex-offending celebrities to be 'made example of'

New sentencing guidelines could include tougher penalties for celebrities who commit sex crimes in order to make an example of them, the Sentencing Council has said.

Lost Prophets front man Ian Watkins. Credit: Police Handout

The star's past behaviour may also work against them as "good character" may be seen as a means to commit a predatory sexual offence, the Sentencing Council said.

In practice, this means in the future the likes of disgraced Lost Prophets front man Ian Watkins, who used his fame to commit crimes against women and children, could receive more severe sentences.

The new guidelines place more emphasis on the long-term, psychological impact on the victims and cover over 50 offences, including rape, child sex offences and trafficking.

Sentencing Council chairman Lord Justice Treacy said: "This guideline will make real changes to the way offenders are sentenced for these very serious, sensitive and complex offences."

"It will help judges and magistrates sentence in a way which protects our communities from this kind of offending and the suffering it causes."

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