A paedophile from Markyate has had his sentence increased by a Court of Appeal judge.

Robert Lindsay, 40, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape a child, conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of a child and causing or inciting the child sexual exploitation of a 17-year-old.

He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison with three years on licence at Luton Crown Court last December. However, at a hearing at the Court of Appeal, this was increased to seven and a half years and three years on licence.

Lady Justice Macur said: “We conclude the judge did not adequately reflect the total criminality of Robert Lindsay.”

He had been involved in a paedophilia network with men he met over dating sites, who streamed child abuse and committed sex acts in front of children.

The network was run by Berkhamsted resident Michael Emerton, who was sentenced to seven life sentences last March, but did not have his sentence increased by Lady Justice Macur. However she did say his term could have been longer.

“Even within this field of appalling and sickening abuse, there is from time to time a case which is so shocking that it undermines one’s faith in humanity. This is one such case,” said the judge.

The other men sentenced as part of the network were Matthew Webby, 30, who pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child, conspiracy to rape a child, conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child, and possession of indecent images of children.

Simon Wintle, aged 44, pleaded guilty to sexual activity in the presence of a child and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child. He was sentenced to two years and six months.

Paul Stevens, aged 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape a child under 13 and conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child under 13. He was jailed for 10 years with a five year extended licence.

Thomas Perry, aged 28, was found guilty on December 7 of conspiracy to rape a child under the age of 13, conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child under 13 and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

The sentences of Webby and Perry were not changed by Macur.