Description
Dartford coach driver Liam Ross has 12-year sentence increased to 15 years after raping two schoolgirls
A coach driver who raped a 12-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl in Bexley has had his prison sentence increased after the Attorney General referred the case as unduly lenient.
Liam Ross, 30, of Dartford, Kent, was originally jailed for 12 years with a one-year extended licence at Woolwich Crown Court on 2 March 2026. On 3 September 2026, the Court of Appeal increased the term to 15 years’ imprisonment, with the one-year licence extension remaining, after intervention by Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP.
Ross, who was 29 at the time of the offences, met the 16-year-old over social media and pursued a sexual relationship with her, meeting her on multiple occasions and giving her money. He later received a police warning letter that the relationship put him at risk of criminal behaviour, but continued anyway.
In April 2025 he raped the 16-year-old after she became unconscious through alcohol. In May 2025 he provided alcohol to both girls, engaged in sexual activity with them, raped the 12-year-old, filmed the abuse and gave them money. Police later found indecent images of children and video recordings of some of the May 2025 offences on his phone.
Ross claimed he believed the 12-year-old was old enough to consent. Rape of a child under 13 is a strict liability offence, so a defendant’s belief about the child’s age or consent is irrelevant. Judge Ruth Downing accepted that he believed the girl was older and said she thought the same when she saw the victim.
The judge described the case as “difficult and rather disturbing”, saying Ross had pursued “lawful but inappropriate” relationships with schoolgirls over the age of consent. A pre-sentence report pointed to predatory and reckless traits; Judge Downing said she disagreed with much of it, but was confident he would realise the “utter folly” of pursuing sexual relationships with 16-year-old girls.
“This might send a message to those who think sailing close to the wind, being risky, is something they might like to do,” she said.
Ross was a coach driver who frequently transported schoolchildren. The court was told his offending was not connected to his work.
Ellie Reeves said: “Liam Ross is a sexual predator who exploited and raped two young girls. I welcome the court’s decision to increase his sentence following my referral.
“My thoughts are with the victims who have shown courage and bravery in coming forward. Violence against women and girls is a national epidemic, and stopping it remains my number one priority as Attorney General. I will continue to push for sentences that reflect the severity of these crimes.”
Convictions
- Rape of a child under 13
- Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
- Paying for sexual services of a child
- Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- Causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child
- Three counts of making indecent photographs of a child