Volante back in prison

A gymnastics coach is back in prison after his sentence was increased at appeal.

After being convicted of four counts of indecent assault earlier this year, 62 year-old Harold Volante of Cooil Close in Douglas was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

However, that sentence has been increased to nine months in custody after an appeal by the Attorney General, who felt the initial punishment was too lenient.

Mr Volante had unsuccessfully contested the convictions on the grounds they were unsafe and unsatisfactory.

Volante was found guilty of carrying out offences against young girls, aged 10 to 15, following a four week trial, for which he received a suspended prison sentence, was placed on the Sexual Offenders Register and had a supervision order imposed.

He was cleared of a further four charges of indecent assault on young girls.

However, considering applications by both the prosecution and defence, Deemster Kerruish and Judge of Appeal Geoffrey Tattersall increased the sentence, the reasons for which will be issued in a written statement.