A FORMER boxer who kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and broke her nose has had his "unduly lenient" sentence upped by top judges.
Joe Mills, 21, formerly of Piggotts Way, Bishop’s Stortford, was locked up for two years at Chelmsford Crown Court in September last year after he was convicted of kidnapping the Harlow woman and assaulting her, causing actual bodily harm.
He also admitted a separate offence of assault causing actual bodily harm, resulting in a total sentence of three years and three months.
But three Appeal Court judges in London today (January 7) agreed with the Solicitor General, Edward Garnier QC, that the sentence was too soft - and increased it by two years, to five years and three months.
Mills’ 19-year-old victim, Sophie Johnson, had broken up with him some time before the attack, fearing his “red mist” rages and believing him to be “violent and controlling”.
The former licensed boxer became enraged when he saw a Facebook entry suggesting that he “had not been faithful to her” during their relationship, said Lady Justice Rafferty.
He lured Ms Johnson, of Hart Road, Harlow, to a meeting place near Harlow Station and launched a vicious onslaught.
During the attack, Mills dragged her along the street and threatened to throw her onto the tracks, asking his victim if she “preferred the fast or slow train”.
Mills, whose address was given to the court as Hutton Close, Hertford, must also serve a two-year "extended" licence period.
Lady Justice Rafferty said Mills had subjected Ms Johnson to a "prolonged ordeal" which became a "chronicle of physical and mental misery".
The judge, sitting with Mr Justice Maddison and Mr Justice Holman, also noted Mills' violent record, which included an attack on a man he flung by his hair into a car windscreen.
