A man who raped a 12-week-old baby whose girlfriend was baby-sitting had his jail term increased and might never be released after the Court of Appeal ruled yesterday his original sentence was too lenient.

In January, Alan Webster, 40, was jailed for life and ordered to serve at least six years in jail after he admitted the horrific attack in which he had used the baby girl as a “sex toy”.

Tanya French, his 20-year-old girlfriend, was given a five-year term with an extended licence period of five years for her part in the crime.

Yesterday the country’s top judge Lord Phillips, the Lord Chief Justice, backed by four other judges, ruled Webster should serve eight years behind bars before being considered for parole.

However, the court refused to increase the sentence imposed on French. “The court considers that, having regard in particular to her youth and to the fact that she had been corrupted by Webster, her sentence fell within the range that was properly open to the judge and should not be disturbed”, Phillips said.

“It is plain that these are crimes which have shocked and outraged public opinion and the sentences have attracted much criticism,” Phillips added.“There can be no doubt Alan Webster is an evil and depraved man”.