'Monster' surgeon Ian Paterson's sentence increased to 20 years

A breast cancer surgeon who carried out needless operations on hundreds of patients has had his sentence increased to 20 years in jail.

Ian Paterson, who left victims scarred and disfigured, was previously sent to prison for 15 years.

Prosecutors were uncertain why he carried out unnecessary procedures, including mastectomies, but concluded it may have been to boost his earnings.

Paterson was convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding against 10 patients in April.

The Court of Appeal's Lady Justice Hallett, who was sitting with Mrs Justice Carr and Mr Justice Goss, said the original jail term imposed in May was "unduly lenient".

Lady Justice Hallett said: "Both the harm and culpability here were exceptionally high."

The ruling came after the sentence was referred to the court for reconsideration by Solicitor General Robert Buckland.

Mr Buckland said: "Throughout our lives we are told and expected to trust doctors. Paterson woefully abused that trust - he deliberately preyed on people's worst fears and then mutilated them on the operating table.

"This is a truly sickening crime and my thoughts are with the victims and their families. I hope the increased sentence will help bring some closure for them."

Paterson, 59, from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, was convicted by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court.

He watched proceedings at the London Court of Appeal via video-link from prison.

At the end of his original trial, dozens of victims turned up to see him jailed.

Judge Jeremy Baker told Paterson at the time his arrogance left him feeling untouchable and added to his "complete lack of remorse".

After the sentencing, one of his victims Diane Green told reporters: "I lost my home, I lost my marriage, I lost my health, I lost my job. I lost absolutely everything. He took everything away from me. This has been going on since the 90s and only today I've got justice."

She said she and other victims wanted to see authorities investigate why Paterson was able to continue practising for so long.