Sentence of Addil Haroon will not be referred to the Court of Appeal

Addil Haroon who killed Joseph Brown-Lartey when he drove at 80mph through a red traffic

The sentence of Addil Haroon, who killed Joseph Brown-Lartey in Rochdale, will not be sent to the Court of Appeal to be reviewed.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96042/addil-haroon-unduly-lenient-sentence-to-be-reviewed-by-attorney-general

Despite a petition calling for a law change and an increase to the six year sentence launched by Amelia Drogan, the girlfriend of Mr Brown-Lartey, which received over 17,000 signatures, the Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC has today (Thursday 25 June) decided not to refer the sentence.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office said: “The Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC MP has decided not to refer the sentence of Addil Haroon to the Court of Appeal as he does not believe they would find it unduly lenient and therefore increase it.

“The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme is an exceptional remedy, reserved for cases where a sentence falls significantly below that which any judge could reasonably have passed. The Court of Appeal has made it clear that it will only increase a sentence where the judge has made a gross error.

“Jeremy Wright offers his sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Joseph Brown-Lartey for their tragic loss. He is writing to Mr Brown-Lartey to fully explain his decision.”

Shortly before 4.40am on Sunday 9 November 2014, Haroon,19, drove through a red light at over 80mph at the junction of Sandy Lane and collided with an Audi A5.

25-year-old Joseph Brown-Lartey, who was driving the Audi, was pronounced dead at the scene.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/92400/man-dies-in-horrific-early-morning-car-crash

Haroon pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance and was sentenced to six years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in May this year.