AN OSTEOPATH from Redhill who sexually assaulted five patients, including two boys, over a 12-year period has had his sentence more than doubled at the Court of Appeal.
Mark Piraino, 40, was sentenced to 18 months behind bars by a judge at Guildford Crown Court earlier this year but today (Tuesday), a Court of Appeal judge ruled that was unduly lenient and increased it to 4 years.
Piraino, of Ivydene Close, Earlswood, will now also have to sign the sex offenders' register for life.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Rupert Knight from East Surrey Public Protection Unit, said: "I am delighted we were successful in appealing the sentence handed to Piraino and although we can never undo what he put his victims through, I hope this demonstrates how Surrey Police will always strive to see justice served to those who commit crime in our county.
"Again, I must commend all five victims for their bravery in coming forward and I am grateful they put their trust in Surrey Police and enabled us to investigate the allegations.
"Surrey Police take all allegations of such nature seriously and will fully investigate recent or historic cases."
Piraino had pleaded innocent but was found guilty of eight counts of sexual assault against two boys and three young men by a jury in December.
