A man from Birmingham has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP.
Leigh Robinson and Sabeel Nazir, both 34, engaged in a high-speed car chase which ended with the death of Robinson’s passenger, Anthony Moran.
The incident took place on 8 December 2018 in the Walmley area of Birmingham. Nazir was driving when he saw a Renault Megane being driven by Robinson. Nazir proceeded to chase the vehicle as he believed the occupant to be responsible for an attack on his family and their home. A high-speed chase ensued with both cars driving at speeds in excess of 80 MPH, undertaking other vehicles and driving nose to tail.
A third vehicle failed to give way and pulled out in front of Robinson’ Megane, leading to a collision in which Anthony Moran sustained fatal injuries, succumbing to them four days later. When questioned by police, Robinson initially denied being the driver of the vehicle and stated that Anthony Moran was in charge of the car.
Both offenders were convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, and Robinson was also convicted of driving whilst disqualified and without insurance. The driver of the third car was convicted of causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed limit.
On 25 November 2020, Robinson was sentenced to 3 years and 2 months’ imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court. On the same day, Nazir was sentenced to 2 years and 5 months’ imprisonment by the Court.
Their sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
On 2 March 2021, in a joint hearing at the Court of Appeal, Robinsons’ sentence was found to be unduly lenient and increased to 4 years’ imprisonment. The Court declined to interfere with Nazir’s sentence.
After the joint hearing at the Court of Appeal the newly promoted Attorney General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, said:
Both men put their lives, and those of their passengers, fellow road users, and innocent bystanders at risk. I welcome the Court’s decision to increase Robinsons’ sentence.
