The DPP argued that Jarrold's five-year jail term with a non-parole period of three years was inadequate and a hearing was held in the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday.

Three justices of the court will hand down their decision at a later date.

Jarrold pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting boys in the 1970s and internet grooming and child pornography charges committed as recently as September last year.

He was sentenced in October.

Jarrold initially pleaded not guilty to the historical sex offences, but tried to organise a sexual liaison with a 15-year-old boy while he awaited trial, Newcastle District Court previously heard.

The 15-year-old, called Mitch, was actually a police officer posing as a teenager.

Police surveillance material showed Jarrold masturbating while he had sexually explicit conversations with Mitch.

Jarrold postponed the liaison with Mitch because Jarrold's partner insisted that he wait until after the court case.

In other online conversations saved on Jarrold's computer between 2003 and 2008, he discussed child sexual abuse, rape, murder and defecation.

During one online chat, Jarrold wrote: "Have to kill them so they wouldn't [go to the police]."

He later wrote: "Don't think I could actually kill anyone . . . but the rest would be fun."

Jarrold wrote to another person in May 2008 about a teenager who had lunch at Jarrold's home.

Jarrold said a group of men had sex with the teenager, who told police he was 17 at the time.