SHAUN KILLER TO APPEAL
WOODBURN FAMILY AGONY 17-year-old thug wants guilty verdict quashed
THE killer of young dad Shaun Woodburn has caused fresh anguish for his victim’s family by launching an appeal against his conviction.
The 17-year-old, who we cannot name, punched Shaun, 30,
outside an Edinburgh pub last Hogmanay. Shaun died later of head injuries.
Last month, the teenage killer was sentenced to four years behind bars.
He has now lodged a notice with the Crown Office stating that he intends to appeal his culpable homicide conviction.
The news has infuriated Shaun’s family. His dad Kevin said: “I cannot believe the arrogance of this.
“Not only has the killer been given a paltry sentence which he’s serving in nothing more than a holiday camp, but he’s now intending to try and clear himself of any blame in Shaun’s death.
“He was a healthy young man who is dead because he was harmed by another individual who is now trying to use the legal system to his advantage and walk away scot free.”
The killer now has eight weeks to lodge an appeal.
A legal source said: “For an appeal to be heard, they will have to come up with a point of law against the conviction. If successful, appeal judges could uphold or quash the conviction, or order a retrial.”
Kevin, who is campaigning for an increase to the sentence, said: “Doctors in the hospital told me Shaun was unconscious from the moment he was punched in the head. He had no means of protecting himself from the fall.
“I am beside myself with fury and dismay at this.
“It’s bad enough Shaun has gone but the slap-in-theface sentence and now word he plans to appeal the actual conviction is a step too far.”