A CHIDDINGFOLD builder who escaped with a fine after indecently assaulting two women in their own homes, is facing a nine-month jail term after a ruling in London's Appeal Court.

John Black (53) received a £1,500 fine and £200 compensation order in March this year after pleading guilty at Guildford Crown Court to one sex assault and being convicted of two others.

The trial judge described him as "lecherous and disgusting" but decided against giving him a custodial sentence.

Lawyers for the Attornery-General argued successfully at the Appeal Court that the penalty was "unduly lenient" in view of Black's "persistent course of indecent behaviour".

Orlando Pownall, for the Attorney-General, said a financial penalty was "wholly inappropriate in this case".

Lord Justice Kennedy, sitting with Mrs Justice Hallett and Mr Justice Potts, agreed. He overturned the fine and compensation order and imposed a nine-month jail term.

He said the trial judge - Judge Bull - had rightly taken into account Black's pre-sentencing report which noted his "motivation to address his sexual offending".

But he concluded: "It seems to us that the court had to have regard not only to the future of the offender but also had to mark society's disapproval of the conduct towards the victims and its support for the victims."

The first indecent assault charge related to an evening in early 1996 when Black took advantage of his victim when others were out of the room.

Although the woman had undergone a double mastectomy this did not deter Black from "continuing to grab and touch her in an indecent fashion", said Lord Justice Kennedy.

The second indecent assault charge covered an offence committed several months later when Black arrived at the same woman's home without warning. At one point the woman feared that Black might rape her, said the appeal judge.

Black, of Fisher Lane, was also prosecuted over an October 1999 offence committed at the home of a woman where he was carrying out building work.

He had arrived at the house without warning when the woman returned home after collecting her children from school.

Black manoeuvred the woman into the bedroom where plastering work was to be done, before pushing her against the wall and kissing her forcefully on the mouth.

The woman told him to leave at which Black asked her not to tell her husband.

Lord Justice Kennedy ordered that Black should surrender to custody and start his sentence by 8 pm on Tuesday.

Black, who did not attend the appeal, was arrested by police.

A spokesman for Surrey police told The Herald after the case that the appeal against the original sentence had been instigated by local detective constable Paddy Mayers.

"These were particularly nasty attacks on women in their own homes and it is only right and proper that we protect them," said the spokesman.

"We are pleased for the victims and know they are happy with the result."