NEW BID TO INCREASE ROBYN’S KILLER’S JAIL SENTENCE
Prosecutors are appealing the “lenient” sentence of a hit- and- run driver who mowed down a Paisley teen and left her dying on the road.
Robyn Fry ar’ s heartbroken parents launched their emotional campaign to push prosecutors to take action following the sentencing of Shaun Gatti last month.
Prosecutors have confirmed they will appeal Gatti’s five year and three month punishment on the grounds that it is “unduly lenient”.
Callous Gatti was handed the jail term after he hit the 15-year-old St Andrew’s Academy pupil last summer.
Since his sentencing at Glasgow’s High Court, Robyn’ s devastated parents Iain Fryar, 53, and Cheryl Madden, 51, have publically blasted the jail term as “pathetic” and said heartless Gatti “got away with murder”.
A petition was set up on behalf on Robyn’s parents calling for action to be taken to appeal the sentencing, which has been backed by more than 7,000 people.
Now, in a letter to Paisley MSP George
Adam solicitor general Alison Di Rollo QC confirmed an appeal had been lodged.
George Adam has hailed the news of the appeal as a “step in the right direction” for Robyn’s heartbroken family.
He told the Express: “Robyn’s death is a tragedy for the Paisley community and as a parent myself, I cannot even begin to imagine the heartache and distress her family and friends are going through.
“As a politician, I find this type of case very difficult so I would like to extend my sincere condolences to her family and offer any support I can during this incredibly challenging time.
“As you know, many of my constituents contacted me to express their concern at the sentence given and I immediately sent a letter to the Solicitor General on their behalf.
“I have just received their response and am pleased to see that the Crown Office are going to appeal.
“For me, this is a step in the right direction and I am hopeful that the fact this course of action is being pursued means they are confident the appeal will be a success.”
Tragic Robyn died in hospital on July 7 last year after heartless Gatti ploughed into her with his car while she was walking home.
The 21- year- old, who had been drinking in a nightclub, hit young Robyn on Glenburn Road before dragging her for a distance on the bonnet of his Volkswagen Golf.
After getting out of his vehicle and seeing the fatally injured girl on the road, cold-hearted Gatti got back in his car and drove away before attempting to hide his smashed up vehicle.
Speaking following Gatti’s sentencing, devastated Iain said heartless Gatti treated their child “worse than an animal”.
He said: “Is that all they think our little girl is worth? He’s basically got away with murder and we think it’s an absolute disgrace.
“People get bigger sentences for assault. Instead of him going out with a load of guns, he went out with this car and killed our daughter with no remorse.
“What kind of person throws a child off a car and leaves them lying on the ground dying?
“Cheryl said that if she knocked down a cat or an animal, she would stop and help.
“So what did he treat our daughter like? Worse than an animal.
“It’s worse than a life sentence. It’s like being in hell, to be honest.
“We’ll never get relief from the pain we feel.”
Cheryl added: “It just makes my daughter seem insignificant and that her life was worth nothing.”