A YOUTH worker who plied boys with alcohol and cannabis before sexually abusing them and videoing explicit acts, has failed to win a cut in his sentence. Peter Colin Challis, 45, of Tern Gardens, Chatteris, was jailed for seven years at Peterborough Crow

A YOUTH worker who plied boys with alcohol and cannabis before sexually abusing them and videoing explicit acts, has failed to win a cut in his sentence.

Peter Colin Challis, 45, of Tern Gardens, Chatteris, was jailed for seven years at Peterborough Crown Court, after pleading guilty in October 2002 to a string of offences.

He admitted two counts of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child, seven of possessing an indecent photograph of a child, four of taking indecent photographs of a child, and one of permitting premises to be used for smoking cannabis.

The part-time youth worker also received a three-year extended term, meaning he can be recalled to prison if he takes one step out of line in the three years after his jail sentence.

London's Criminal Appeal Court on Friday refused to cut his sentence, rejecting claims it was too long given his guilty plea, previous good character, and the fact he had "lost everything" by committing the offences.

Mr Justice Ramsey, sitting with Lord Justice Latham and Judge Peter Beaumont, did consider individual sentences were too long, but the variations they made resulted in no difference to the overall term.

"This court considers the overall conduct and the totality of the sentence - on the basis of a total sentence of seven years - is one which cannot be described as manifestly excessive," the judge said.

"The three-year extension is, in the view of this court, a proper extension in order to ensure the continued supervision of this appellant, who is clearly a dangerous person when he comes into contact with children in a position of trust."

The sentencing judge had noted the guilty plea, but pointed out it was inevitable - on the basis of Challis' own video.

He referred to Challis grooming the boys by plying them with alcohol and soft drugs, before corrupting them into thinking certain behaviour was normal when it was clearly anything but.