Sentence cut for teenager who smothered grandmother (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Sentence cut for teenager who smothered grandmother

6:45pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

A teenage rugby player who smothered his 92-year-old great-grandmother with a cushion when she refused to lend him money has had his sentence reduced.

Dion Groombridge (pictured) attacked his frail victim on the sofa at her flat before rifling £80 from her purses.

Groombridge, formerly of Whinney Hill Park, Brighouse, was given a ten-year extended sentence of detention by Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, who branded him a public danger.

Groombridge, then 17, had his custodial sentence cut from five years to four years by three judges at the Court of Appeal in London yesterday.

It was contended that the sentence was too long and failed to take into account, in particular, Groombridge’s youth – he was 16 when he committed the offence – and good character.

The Appeal Court said the judge was right to impose an extended sentence. The licence period was cut from five to three years.

Groombridge pleaded guilty to attempting to choke his great-grandmother. He was sentenced in September last year.