The Manitoba Court of Appeal has increased the prison sentence of child-abusing hockey coach Graham James to five years from two.

James was convicted last year of sexually abusing NHL star Theo Fleury and his younger cousin, Todd Holt, when they played for James in the junior ranks.

The Crown argued four years would have been a more appropriate sentence considering the nature of the offences.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Thomson told the Appeal Court the trial judge put too much weight on the 3 1/2-year sentence James received in 1997 for abusing other young hockey players.

James’s lawyer argued the sentencing judge took into consideration the 15 years between his client’s first sentence in 1997 and his subsequent rehabilitation.