A MAN who was spared jail after plying a 16-year-old girl with drugs and alcohol before sexually assaulting her will have his sentence reviewed, it has been confirmed.

Thuc Hung Dinh has been given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted sexually assaulting the girl in February 2018.

As previously reported by the Gazette, the 33-year-old found the victim walking alone when he offered her a lift home. She had been drinking and smoking cannabis with her then-boyfriend and friends before leaving by herself.

His case will be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

A Spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office said: “We have received a request for Thuc Hung Dinh’s sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision.”

The Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme provides for the public to ask the Attorney General to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

The Attorney General’s Office can review very low sentences given by the Crown Court in England and Wales, if asked to do so.

Dinh took the teenage girl to a caravan in Old Basing owned by a friend where she was offered vodka and cocaine, prosecutor Mary Aspinall-Miles told the court at the start of a trial in July.

The friend, 34-year-old Gary Peter Ian Davidson, was acquitted of rape and sexual assault by a jury, whilst Dinh admitted sexual assault part-way through the trial.

Ms Aspinall-Miles had told Winchester Crown Court that the victim was "upset, alone, walking home drunk and vulnerable" and that Dinh, of New Bridge Lane, "took full advantage of that".

"Both of these men are considerably older than she was and significantly effectively strangers."

The victim had told the court that she woke to find Dinh sexually assaulting her.

Appearing before Winchester Crown Court on Monday for sentencing, Dinh was given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity days, as well as be under a curfew for six months.

Dinh will also be on the sex offenders register for the next decade.

Law officers have 28 days from the sentencing date to make a final decision.