17 'lenient' challenges in 2022 over Bradford criminals' jail terms

Out of the 17 challenges reported by the Telegraph & Argus, a total of five criminals had their sentences increased – the largest rise being four years.

In addition, five sentences were left unchanged following a Court of Appeal hearing.

The Attorney General’s office also determined in seven cases, that the sentences were not unduly lenient and did not refer them on.

All 17 challenges have now been dealt with.

The unduly lenient sentence scheme allows victims, members of the public and prosecutors to ask for sentences it covers to be reviewed within 28 days of the court date.

The Attorney General’s Office will consider the case and must decide whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal for a hearing if it appears “unduly lenient”.

Top judges could then rule that the sentence is unreasonably low and may increase it.

The five Bradford sentences that were increased were Christopher Windle, Frankie Smith, Aaron Bonner, Royston Thomas and Sheryar Khan.

Christopher Windle – death by dangerous driving – increase of one year five months

Windle, 21, who fled the scene of a crash on Wakefield Road after colliding with two vehicles and killing his passenger has seen his sentence increased.

In February the Court of Appeal in London found that his original sentence of four years and nine months was “unduly lenient”.

His jail term was increased to six years and two months for causing death by dangerous driving.

Christopher Windle (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

Windle, formerly of Kesteven Road, Holme Wood, was involved in a fatal crash back in 2019, while driving a vehicle whilst disqualified.

He was speeding when he crashed into another vehicle, killing his passenger Stephen Tordoff and injuring three other passengers.

He was convicted of two counts of dangerous driving, causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving whilst disqualified and causing death by driving while uninsured.

Windle received his original sentence at Bradford Crown Court in September 2021.

Frankie Smith – causing or allowing the death of a child - increase of four years

The mother of Star Hobson - Frankie Smith - had her sentence for allowing the death of her baby daughter extended by four years.

Smith, 20, had her eight-year sentence quashed at the Court of Appeal, and extended to 12 years.

Appearing at the Court of Appeal, representatives for the Attorney General argued that too much weight had been placed on mitigating factors during the original sentencing which were outweighed by the aggravating features of the case.

Frankie Smith (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

Four points were highlighted as to why the sentence passed was too lenient: prolonged incidents of cruelty; degradation of the victim; deliberate disregard of Star; and a failure to protect Star from risk.

The life sentence with a minimum of 25 years for Savannah Brockhill, who murdered Star, was also challenged, but not referred.

Aaron Bonner and Royston Smith – robbery – increase of one year and two years respectively

Two men who carried out a terrifying robbery received an increased jail sentence in May after their cases were referred to the Court of Appeal.

Royston Thomas, then 37, and Aaron Bonner, then 43, entered a hair salon in Brighouse in December 2018, and demanded money.

They assaulted the owner of Fresh Hair Salon in Bonegate Road, and stole approximately £100.

The jail sentences of robbers Aaron Bonner (top right) and Royston Thomas have been increased by the Court of Appeal (Images: PA/West Yorkshire Police)

When one of the customers, who was 87, attempted to leave the salon to find help, she was shoved to the floor by one of the offenders and suffered a fractured hip and bruising. The other man stole her handbag.

In February both men were convicted of robbery at Bradford Crown Court.

Following the Court of Appeal hearing, Bonner’s 5-year sentence was increased to 6 years’ imprisonment, and Thomas’6-yearar sentence was increased to 8 years’ imprisonment with a 3-year extended licence.

Sheryar Khan – murder – increase of three years

Khan, 17, was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in prison for the murder of 19-year-old Kian Tordoff in July in what was described as a “ferocious” knife attack.

He was found guilty following a lengthy trial at Bradford Crown Court and was also convicted of the wounding with intent of Matthew Page, who suffered life-threatening injuries.

Sheryar Khan. Picture: West Yorkshire Police

Following a challenge, the Attorney General said they believed Khan’s term did appear “unduly lenient” and a hearing took place at the Court of Appeal in October and his sentence was increased to a minimum of 19 years’ detention.

Mr Tordoff died after he was stabbed multiple times while in John Street, Bradford, in October last year.

The case of five men aged between 30 and 42 who were part of a Keighley grooming gang were unchanged following a referral from the Attorney General's office to the Court of Appeal.

In June Hassan Basharat, Baber Hussain, Omar Safdar, Imran Sabir and Amjad Hussain were left with their original sentences ranging from 12 to 13 years for grooming and raping a vulnerable girl.

Cases against a further seven people were not referred by the Attorney General's Office, despite challenges under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.

These were:

• Rafiq Khan and Leonard Badwal: The pair were sentenced to eight years and eight months and two and a half years respectively for drugs offences.
• Savannah Brockhill: She was sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years for the murder of Star Hobson.
• Timothy Sharp: He was jailed for three years and four months for arson at the Old Swan Inn in Gargarave.
• Jack Simpson: The teenager was jailed for six years for the death by dangerous driving of three people in a crash on the M606.
• Thomas Nutt: He was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years for murdering his new bride.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk, contact us here, WhatsApp us on 07720403052 or call us on 01274 705292.