Four Rioters Challenge 'Harsh' Sentences in Court
- Four men have begun appeals against their prison sentences related to violence following the Southport stabbings in July.
- Their lawyer argues that significant mitigating circumstances were overlooked during the sentencing.
- The Court of Appeal will assess whether the original sentences are justifiably harsh and consider reducing them.
Following violent unrest in parts of the country after the Southport stabbings in July, Ozzie Cush, Paul Williams, Dylan Willis, and Aminadab Temesgen were sentenced to prison. These sentences ranged from ten months to two years and two months. On Thursday, the men began appeals at the Court of Appeal, arguing their sentences were overly harsh and should be reduced. Their lawyer, Alex Granville, contended that mitigating circumstances were not adequately considered during sentencing. He emphasized that immediate incarceration does not necessarily deter crime and proposed alternative measures, such as suspended sentences. The appeals court must weigh the adequacy of the original sentencing in light of these arguments and determine if the sentences reflect the severity of the offenses in context.