Court of Appeal to Review Sentence in Bhim Kohli Manslaughter Case
Published 4 July 2025
Highlights
- The Court of Appeal will review the sentence of a 15-year-old boy convicted of manslaughter in the death of Bhim Kohli, following a referral by the Attorney General's Office.
- Bhim Kohli, 80, died from a spinal cord injury after being attacked in Franklin Park, Leicestershire, in September last year.
- The boy received a seven-year custodial sentence, while a 13-year-old girl involved in the incident was given a three-year youth rehabilitation order.
- The Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, expressed her sympathies to Kohli's family and described the attack as "violent" and "cowardly."
- Kohli's family has voiced disappointment with the sentences, arguing they do not reflect the severity of the crime.
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Rewritten Article
Court of Appeal to Review Sentence in Bhim Kohli Manslaughter Case
The Court of Appeal is set to review the sentence of a 15-year-old boy convicted of manslaughter in the death of Bhim Kohli, an 80-year-old man who was attacked while walking his dog in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, Leicestershire. The review follows a referral by the Attorney General's Office under the "unduly lenient" sentence scheme.
Incident and Sentencing
On September 1 of last year, Bhim Kohli was subjected to a brutal attack that resulted in a fatal spinal cord injury. The teenage boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was sentenced to seven years in custody after being found guilty of manslaughter. A 13-year-old girl, who filmed the attack while laughing, received a three-year youth rehabilitation order. Both were convicted at Leicester Crown Court.
Family's Reaction and Legal Context
Kohli's family expressed their anger and disappointment with the sentences, arguing that they do not adequately reflect the severity of the crime. Susan Kohli, the victim's daughter, stated that the attack had irrevocably changed their lives, leaving a void that could never be filled. She emphasized that while the teenagers could eventually rebuild their lives, her family could not.
Attorney General's Office Involvement
The Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, described the attack as "violent" and "cowardly," extending her deepest sympathies to Kohli's family. After a detailed review, the Attorney General's Office concluded that the boy's sentence met the threshold for a review by the Court of Appeal. However, the girl's sentence was not referred, as it did not meet the criteria for reconsideration.
Community and Political Response
The case has sparked calls for increased parental responsibility for minors involved in serious crimes. Mid Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford and South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa have both advocated for a review of the sentences, with Bedford expressing shock that the girl's non-custodial sentence was not reconsidered.
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Scenario Analysis
The upcoming review by the Court of Appeal could potentially lead to an increased sentence for the teenage boy, setting a precedent for how juvenile offenders are sentenced in cases involving severe violence. Legal experts suggest that this case may prompt a broader discussion on the adequacy of current sentencing guidelines for minors. Additionally, the case has highlighted the need for a balance between rehabilitation and accountability in the juvenile justice system, a topic that may gain further attention in political and legal circles.
The Court of Appeal is set to review the sentence of a 15-year-old boy convicted of manslaughter in the death of Bhim Kohli, an 80-year-old man who was attacked while walking his dog in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, Leicestershire. The review follows a referral by the Attorney General's Office under the "unduly lenient" sentence scheme.
Incident and Sentencing
On September 1 of last year, Bhim Kohli was subjected to a brutal attack that resulted in a fatal spinal cord injury. The teenage boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was sentenced to seven years in custody after being found guilty of manslaughter. A 13-year-old girl, who filmed the attack while laughing, received a three-year youth rehabilitation order. Both were convicted at Leicester Crown Court.
Family's Reaction and Legal Context
Kohli's family expressed their anger and disappointment with the sentences, arguing that they do not adequately reflect the severity of the crime. Susan Kohli, the victim's daughter, stated that the attack had irrevocably changed their lives, leaving a void that could never be filled. She emphasized that while the teenagers could eventually rebuild their lives, her family could not.
Attorney General's Office Involvement
The Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, described the attack as "violent" and "cowardly," extending her deepest sympathies to Kohli's family. After a detailed review, the Attorney General's Office concluded that the boy's sentence met the threshold for a review by the Court of Appeal. However, the girl's sentence was not referred, as it did not meet the criteria for reconsideration.
Community and Political Response
The case has sparked calls for increased parental responsibility for minors involved in serious crimes. Mid Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford and South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa have both advocated for a review of the sentences, with Bedford expressing shock that the girl's non-custodial sentence was not reconsidered.
What this might mean
The upcoming review by the Court of Appeal could potentially lead to an increased sentence for the teenage boy, setting a precedent for how juvenile offenders are sentenced in cases involving severe violence. Legal experts suggest that this case may prompt a broader discussion on the adequacy of current sentencing guidelines for minors. Additionally, the case has highlighted the need for a balance between rehabilitation and accountability in the juvenile justice system, a topic that may gain further attention in political and legal circles.
