A MAN jailed for molesting a disabled teenager has failed in an Appeal court bid to cut his sentence.

Terence Minshull, aged 53, of Chapelfield, Radcliffe, was jailed for five years at Warrington Crown Court in September after pleaded guilty to assault at Warrington Crown Court.

Lord Justice Rose, sitting with Mr Justice Henriques and Mrs Justice Dobbs at London's Appeal Court, refused to cut Minshull's jail term, dismissing arguments it was "manifestly excessive".

The judge said Minshull pounced on the "vulnerable" girl, who is in her early teens and has severe learning difficulties, when she went to the bathroom. He followed the victim to the bathroom and walked into the room as she was leaving.

He then grabbed her and assaulted her, ignoring her pleas for him to stop.

A witness walked in and the police were called to the scene.

Minshull initially denied the assault, but later admitted it when confronted by DNA evidence.

Lawyers speaking on his behalf argued that the five-year sentence was "manifestly excessive" in view of his guilty plea.

But dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Rose said the Crown Court judge's sentence was "not only too high, it was correct".

He added: "The sentence of five years was unimpeachable, and this application must be dismissed."