MPs demand sentence review for killers of man, 80

Two MPs have called for a review into “unduly lenient” sentences given to two teenagers convicted of killing an 80-year-old man at a park.

Bhim Kohli died in hospital a day after being attacked while walking his dog at Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, in September.

A 15-year-old boy was sentenced to seven years in custody for manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday, while a 13-year-old girl was given a three-year youth rehabilitation order and made subject to a six-month curfew.

Now Mid Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford and Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, have written to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) calling for the sentences to be looked at.

The AGO told the BBC it had received several requests to review the sentences given to the pair, who cannot be named due to their age.

If the Attorney General and Solicitor General agree the sentence appears unduly lenient, they can ask the Court of Appeal to review the sentence.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Harpreet Sandu KC said Mr Kohli was subjected to a “seven-and-a-half minute period of continuing aggression” at the park.

The boy racially abused Mr Kohli, attacked him and slapped him in the face with a slider shoe, while the girl encouraged the assault and laughed as she filmed it on her phone.

The attack left Mr Kohli with three broken ribs and other fractures, but Mr Sandhu KC said the fatal injury was to his spinal cord, caused by a spine fracture.

Following sentencing, the victim’s daughter Susan Kohli said she felt angry and disappointed the punishments did not match the severity of the crime.

Confirming he had written to the AGO, Bedford said: “I am shocked and appalled at the leniency of these sentences.

“These two young people will soon be able to move forward with their lives, while the family of Mr Kohli serve a life sentence of pain and grief.”

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.