THE decision to reduce the sentence for a speeding motorist who struck down and killed a Bradford grandmother-of-eight has been criticised.

Philip Davies MP (Con, Shipley) said that the decision to reduce the time served by Liaquat Ali for killing Kathleen Farman was "extremely disappointing".

Liaquat Ali, 31, was locked up for five years two months at Bradford Crown Court in March after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Mrs Farman, 54, suffered catastrophic injuries when Ali hit her near Bradford’s Broadway shopping centre in September last year.

On Thursday, Mr Justice Goose, sitting with two other judges at the Appeal Court, noted Ali's remorse and guilty plea, going on to reduce his sentence from 62 to 58 months.

The appeal judge said Judge Jonathan Durham Hall, at the Bradford Crown Court trial, had focused too much on the frequency of incidents on the particular stretch of road.

“We are satisfied that, in treating community impact evidence as an aggravating factor of this offence, the court fell into error,” ruled Mr Justice Goose.

However, Mr Davies said the ruling "was a kick in the teeth to the family of the victim and right-thinking drivers".

He added: "I'm extremely disappointed. All it does it highlight how out of touch judges are.

"Mrs Farman won't get to enjoy any more life, he'll go on to enjoy some of his."

He said that Ali would have served only half his sentence before being released anyway but that now even that had been reduced.

"It's not much for killing someone."

Ali, of Leeds Road, Bradford, challenged his punishment at London's Appeal Court, claiming it was far too tough.

Mrs Farman was jogging across Hall Ings at the time, Mr Justice Goose told the court.

Ali had overtaken a van while approaching the traffic lights, and was travelling at 49mph in a 30mph zone.

Immediately before the collision, Ali “turned sharply to his offside" to overtake the van, the court heard.

An eyewitness said later that he was “driving like an idiot”.

“Despite the best efforts of emergency services at the scene, Mrs Farman's her life could not be saved,” the judge added.

“Had Ali been driving within the speed limit, she would have successfully crossed the road.”

Mr Justice Goose told the Appeal Court that “the effects of Mrs Farman's loss have been profound".

Mrs Farman’s death took a devastating toll on her family. Married for 35 years, she had eight beloved grandchildren.

Passing sentence at the Crown Court, Judge Durham Hall had described the tragedy as “sadly inevitable, sooner or later”.

“It is sadly well-known that this particular stretch (of road) is treated by some drivers with complete indifference to the risk of others.”