A Porthleven businessman jailed for preying on three schoolgirls over 30 years ago had his sentence slashed by top judges yesterday (Tuesday).

Satvinder Bajway, 64, was jailed for five years in June last year after being convicted of a string of sex crimes.

He committed eight indecent assaults on three girls who were aged between nine and 15 when he molested them.

The once highly respected businessman carried out his crimes in the 1970s and 1980s.

Most of the abuse consisted of furtive acts of groping, Mrs Justice Patterson told London's Appeal Court.

Bajway had fondled all three girls' breasts - even attacking one girl when his car stopped at traffic lights.

His third victim claimed he would "touch her all over when any reasonable chance presented itself."

But his case reached the Appeal Court as Bajway challenged his sentence, which his legal team claimed was far too harsh.

They presented character references that painted Bajway as a business success and a "hardworking and decent man."

Mrs Justice Patterson, sitting with Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, noted the psychological harm done to the girls - particularly the first victim.

Allowing Bajway's appeal, however, she concluded that five years was "excessive."

Cutting the sentence to three and a half years, the judge concluded: "That is an appropriate reflection of the overall criminality."