由此 - 13 A A Grounds for appeal against sentence B B 42. C D The only ground of appeal was that the total sentence of C 5 years was manifestly excessive. In support of this ground Mr McGowan relied on the applicant’s “excellent background”, his D previous clear record and his “positive good character”, submitting that the E E judge had not taken these matters sufficiently into account. F F 43. G H The applicant is now aged 33. He held a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from a local university and he worked as a sales manager in a big motor company, earning $500,000 to $600,000 per annum. prospects at work were said to be promising. His G H He is married with an infant I I son. According to his family, the applicant was a filial son, a caring J husband and the major breadwinner of the family. The applicant also J worked as a volunteer to help mentally-retarded children. K L K 44. As the judge said when he sentenced the applicant, as far as L the applicant was concerned, this was a “spectacular fall from grace”. M N M 45. This is a serious case. From the evidence accepted by the N judge, clearly the applicant was grooming a 12-year-old via the internet. O P He talked with her about daily matters before progressing to introducing matters of a sexual nature to this young girl. It is far too easy for an older O P man to prey on the innocence and/or naivety of a youngster and a deterrent Q Q sentence must be imposed to protect the young. R R 46. Although this case does not involve a person having unlawful S sexual intercourse with an underaged girl, we found the sentiments T expressed by the English Court of Appeal in Attorney General’s Reference S T U U V V