‘CONNOR KILLER’S JAIL TERM WAS TOO LENIENT’
Ally Gordon sentence to be reviewed after CPS call
An appeal has been lodged at the Court of Appeal over the “potentially unduly lenient” three-and-a-half-year sentence of a man convicted of killing Sunderland teenager Connor Brown.
A jury found Ally Gordon guilty of manslaughter and possession of a bladed weapon following the murder of the 18-year-old Farringdon lad in February last year. Coaccused Leighton Barrass of Hartside Square, was found guilty of murder and given a life sentence – serving a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
While 20- year-old Gordon, of PolmuirRo ad, received a sentence of just three and a half years for his role in beloved Connor’s death.
Now the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed Gordon’s sentence has been referred to the Court of Appeal as a “potentially unduly lenient sentence”.
The Echo previously reported how there were gasps from the public gallery when Mr Justice Lavender read out Gordon’s sentence.
The judge said that he had taken into account the defendants’ age and reports about Barrass, which says he has depressive and personality issues, but not a personality disorder. But he said Gordon did not meet be test for an extended sentence adding that he wasn’ t sure if Gordon knew Barrass had a knife.
A spokesman for the CPS said :“We prepared a report on the case for the Attorney General’ s office.
“The Solicitor General has now referred Gordon’s sentence to Court of Appeal as a potentially unduly lenient sentence. The hearing will take place February 12, 2020.”
Connor, a GP receptionist and amateur boxer, had been enjoying a night out with friends when he was brutally murdered in an alleyway near Park Lane in the early hours of Sunday, February 24.
During the trial, jurors heard that Barrass stabbed the “wonderful” teenager five times after getting into a row with Connor’s friend over £5.
While Gordon was Barrass’ “faithful sidekick” and kicked at Connor while on the ground.
Gordon, who originally charged with murder, was given three years and six months for manslaughter and six months for possession of a knife.
The case is due to be heard at the Court of Appeal, in London, on February 12.