A gang of carjackers have had their sentences increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred their case to the Court of Appeal.
Sarweeth Rehman, Hussun Ashraf and Adal Azam, all 22, carried out a string of thefts in which vehicles were towed away using a pick-up truck.
Their offending escalated when they attempted to steal 2 cars by smashing a car window with a hammer while the driver was still inside, and threatening another driver with a metal bar.
Rehman and Ashraf were further convicted of offences which took place on 24 August 2017, when Rehman threatened a man and smashed up his car. Later that same day Rehman and Ashraf dragged a woman from her car before stealing it. Further incidents occurred over the following months.
Rehman, Ashraf and Azam were originally sentenced in October at Birmingham Crown Court. Rehman was sentenced to 5 years and 9 months in prison, Ashraf to 6 years 4 months in prison, and Azam to 3 years and 10 months in prison.
The Court of Appeal has today increased Rehman’s sentence to 10 years in prison plus activation of 2 suspended sentences amounting to 34 weeks imprisonment to be served consecutively, Ashraf’s to 11 and a half years in prison plus activation of one suspended sentence of 16 weeks imprisonment to be served consecutively, and Azam’s to 6 years in prison.
Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:
These men carried out a series of violent attacks, striking when the victims were alone and then making off with their cars. The Court’s decision to increase their sentences now reflects the severity of their crimes.
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