Barristers and staff at Maidstone Crown Court have expressed shock at a judge being branded the softest in Britain.

Judge Martin Joy topped the league last year among the judiciary in England and Wales by having three sentences increased by the Court of Appeal.

The 65-year-old judge, who was appointed in 2007, had imposed three “unduly lenient” sentences.

Judge (Henry) Martin Joy declined to comment but surprised lawyers and staff sprang to his defence.

“What has not be stated is the number of his sentences that have been cut in the Court of Appeal,” said one barrister who appears regularly at the court.

In April this year Judge Joy jailed pervert Paul Telling, 44, formerly of Gillingham, for 17 years for what he called “monstrous” sex abuse offences.

The barrister, who did not wish to be named, added: “He is considered to be a very firm but fair judge. I have successfully appealed harsh sentences he has passed on several occasions.”

The prison terms imposed by the judge on two child sex abusers and a drug dealer were deemed too lenient by the Appeal Court in London.

In November last year JudgeJoy sentenced a 36-year-old paedophile to 10 years for three offences of rape, three of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.

The Appeal Court increased the term to 15 years.

In a separate case the judge sentenced a 69-year-old sex offender to 10 years for abuse of a girl, aged nine.

The Appeal Court substituted an indefinite term for public protection with a minimum of seven years - the equivalent of a 14 year sentence.

The third case involved a man who smuggled more than £3 million worth of drugs into the country. He was jailed for three-and-a-half years but it was increased to six years on appeal.