A "dangerous" paedophile who was caught out by a police sting operation - then tried to blame his victims - has had his jail term slashed by appeal judges.

Daniel John Hendra, 29, was accused of trying to pay a 14-year-old boy for sexual services, telling him he could earn money any time he wanted.

The pervert, of Coronation Close, Helston, Cornwall, also met up with a 17-year-old, giving him money to strip and take part in a sex act.

But he was caught out when police set up a fake identity - a fictitious 15-year-old called Harry - and lured him to his arrest.

Hendra admitted two counts of paying a child for sexual services and one of trying to, as well as child porn and grooming offences.

He was sentenced to six years' jail, with another six years to serve on extended licence, at Truro Crown Court in February.

But today, after an appeal by his lawyers, the jail term was cut to five years and the licence period also to five years.

Although the crown court judge had been right to say Hendra is "dangerous", the Court of Appeal said the sentence he received was too long.

Mrs Justice Elisabeth Laing said: "Apart from the offences against the 17-year-old boy, much of the offending represented the unconsummated wishes of Daniel Hendra.

"In light of that, we consider that the overall sentence was somewhat too long.

"We therefore quash the term of six years and substitute for it a custodial term of five years."

The court heard Hendra's offending had taken place over several years and involved repeated communications with boys.

When he spoke with a probation officer prior to his sentencing, he tried to blame the boys, saying he had been ensnared and made to behave out of character.

He claimed he was the only victim, having been exploited by others who he trusted.

But Mrs Justice Laing, sitting in London today with Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Spencer, said he had been assessed as a "dangerous predatory paedophile".

He had threatened to publish embarrassing images in order to deter one of his victims from reporting the abuse.

However, the overall sentence was too long and would be cut to five years' custody, with five more to serve on extended licence after his release, she concluded.