Former Policeman John White lost the first of his appeals in court yesterday. But he will have to wait until the end of the week to find out whether or not his 25-year sentence will be reduced.

White, 39, was sentenced a year ago for 11 sexual offences against three boys ? between the ages of ten and 12 ? over a five year period.

On Monday, White?s overseas counsel, John Perry QC argued that trial judge, then-Assistant Justice Carlisle Greaves? summary was ?unbalanced? and filled with ?sarcasm?.

In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Vinette Graham-Allen said yesterday that every case has its own features and summation must include these features.

Ms Graham-Allen told the court that Mr. Justice Greaves did use the same language as that of the young boys at trial, which at times was graphic and not his interpretation.

She said Mr. Justice Greaves could not direct the jury without repeating some of this language.

Mr. Justice Greaves, she told the court, did not ?import? any new language to his summary.

However, when questioned by Appeal Judge Sir Anthony Evans as to where in the prosecution or young boys? testimony ?the ride of his life... John White up his backside? comes from, the DPP admitted she could find no context to this anywhere in the 15-day trial.

Neither could she find the words ?salvation came, John White was charged? anywhere in transcripts from the trial.

Justice Sir Evans commented that a trial judge ?should not use this kind of language?, adding that while they were entitled to use strong comments, they should use restrained language and that of the counsel.

After a ten-minute break the three Appeal Judges dismissed White?s appeal against his conviction.

As for the appeal against his sentence, Mr. Perry described White?s current 25-year sentence as ?excessive? and considering the nature of the charges, which he described as ?relatively minor?, he felt a lesser sentence was more appropriate.

The maximum sentence for sexual assault, he said, was ten years.

Justice Sir Evans said a sentence of ten years takes into account the age of the complainants, the position of trust held by the accused and injury suffered.

Mr. Perry argued that while White is serving a sentence for 11 counts of sexual assault and exploitation, only one of these charges was for serious sexual assault/buggery and that he did not abuse his position as a Policeman.

However, Ms Graham-Allen responded that the only reason one of the boys? mother allowed her son to accompany White to DisneyWorld, New York and the World Cup in France, was because White was a Policeman and she felt she could trust him.

The maximum sentence, she pointed out was in fact 30 years.

As for injury, Mr. Perry argued that it was not ?intentional injury? and was not a sexual assault with violence.

He added that White is serving his sentence in isolation because he had received numerous death threats in prison and was assaulted the second day he was there.

A prison term of 25 years in isolation, he said, would seem longer and once released White would always carry the stigma.

The Appeals judges are expected to return with a decision in the next two days.