He was released on 14 November 2007 after his sentence was reduced to six months on appeal. Dame Heather Steel, who gave the decision said that the court viewed Langham's explanation that he viewed the child porn for research as "highly improbable" but could not actually reject it, although he was still guilty of encouraging "despicable acts" through downloading the pornography. On his release, Langham stated, "My life has been ruined but my conscience is clear" and complained that the media "completely ignored" the court's "acceptance based upon all the evidence and expert opinion that I have no sexual interest in children". A counter to his claims was provided by Paul Fotheringham, then the Deputy Superintendent of Kent Police, who told journalists after the trial in 2007, "Langham doesn’t like the label, but I am satisfied that he is a paedophile".