Robber who attacked sleeping victim handed immediate prison sentence

A man who robbed a lone fisherman has had his sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP.

Jamie Keeling, 26, surprised the victim on the night of 28 July 2020, alongside two unknown accomplices. The victim was sleeping in his Transporter van at Charnwood Water Ski and Wake Board Club in Thurmaston, where he had been night-fishing.

Keeling was armed with a claw hammer which he used to threaten and strike the victim. The victim managed to pick up a knife and wound Keeling, whose blood was found at the scene and used to identify him. Keeling and his accomplices eventually left with around £30 stolen from the victim.

On 15 September 2021, Keeling was sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months at Leicester Crown Court.

Following the sentence, the Solicitor General referred Keeling’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

On 2 February the Court of Appeal found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 5 years and 3 months’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC MP said:

Keeling attacked the victim in the middle of the night, alongside two accomplices. I referred his sentence because I felt that the initial term didn’t properly reflect the severity of his crimes, and I am glad that the Court of Appeal agreed and reviewed his sentence.