Date: 3rd December 2002
Released by: ANDREW TURNER

Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner, is referring to the Attorney General for review the sentence passed on Stephen McKay, who killed Robert Hall, a father of three from Ryde. As reported in the County Press on 22nd November, 21 year-old McKay, who already had a string of convictions for car theft, received a sentence of two years for the manslaughter of Robert Hall and a further six months for intimidating a witness.

Mr Turner said,

“I was appalled to read that a two-year sentence had been imposed on the Lake Huron killer. At the request of Mr Hall’s family I have referred this matter to the Attorney General for him to examine the sentence using his powers under the Criminal Justice Act. If he feels that the sentence for some very serious crimes is not only lenient, but unduly so, he is able to refer the case to the Court of Appeal for review. This is a little known procedure, which can sometimes lead to a tougher sentence. I have told the Attorney General that I am particularly concerned about this case which involved not only manslaughter, but also witness intimidation. It is important that the victims of crime –and their relatives in cases involving a death – have confidence that their interests have been taken into account when sentencing.”