Convicted Welsh pedophile Michael Glyn Jones had his sentence reduced from eight to five years yesterday during a hearing at the Court of Appeal.

Jones was sentenced in April for the sexual abuse of four girls, purchasing youngsters for child prostitution and indecent acts against a minor.

Judge Tith Sothy Boraleak listened to the concluding remarks of the prosecution and defence before determining that Jones had not had sex with the victims.

But he ordered that a fine of 4 million riel (about $2,500) be upheld and that Jones remain in detention.

The 55-year-old arrived in Cambodia in early 2014 as a tourist, the court heard, and made contact with his victims, girls aged between 6 and 11, offering them small amounts of money and food.

The girls’ mothers filed complaints on June 24, 2014, and he was subsequently arrested after a tip-off from anti-pedophile NGO APLE.

Jones was also ordered to pay 16 million riel to the victims’ families. The Welshman, who could not be reached yesterday, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.