Murderer's Sentence Increased

6 December 2012, 16:14

A promising young Bedfordshire footballer who murdered his 15 year old girlfriend has had his sentence increased.

Andrew Hall, 18, a scholar at Stoke City Academy, was originally sentenced in September to life with a minimum term of 10 years.

Hall, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire, pleaded guilty to murdering Megan-Leigh Peat, whom he stabbed 60 times in an attack of 'extreme brutality'.

His minimum term - the least time he must serve behind bars before becoming eligible to apply for parole - has been increased to 15 years by three Court of Appeal judges in London.

Lady Justice Rafferty, Mr Justice Globe and Mr Justice Leggatt agreed with submissions made on behalf of Attorney General Dominic Grieve that the 10-year minimum was too low and did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the crime.

Hall's victim, described by family as a caring, loving and bright girl, was stabbed repeatedly at a mutual friend's home where the pair were alone.

Luton Crown Court heard in September that the couple argued about Hall's jealousy, an issue that regularly caused problems throughout their nine-month relationship.

The appeal judges heard on Hall's behalf that the attack was a 'catastrophic loss of control' and he was genuinely remorseful for what he did.