The families of Shelby Maher, 17, and Rachel Murphy, 23, who were killed as they crossed Brockholes Brow, have made a plea to the Attorney General to dismiss the girls’ killer’s appeal against his conviction.
AdvertisementMore than 900 people have signed a petition calling for Mohmed Salman Patel’s appeal to be thrown out.
Patel, from Blackburn, was jailed for six years on August 7 after being found guilty of causing Rachel and Shelby’s deaths by dangerous driving.
Throughout two trials, Patel protested his innocence but after hearing evidence he was using his mobile phone minutes before the fatal collision, he was found guilty by the jury at Preston Crown Court.
In a further blow to the families, Patel has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence.
In response to the news, Rachel and Shelby’s families launched a petition urging the Attorney general to dismiss the appeal, which has attracted 920 signatures and messages of support for the families.
One supporter said: “What is the purpose of law, if people who blatantly disregard it, are subsequently entitled to appeal? The driver did not graze somebody’s knee. He ended somebody’s life. He ended their family’s journey in life.
“He knew the law. He chose to ignore it. The consequences were irreparable for the families of the victims. I can not comprehend why he believes he deserves leniency. Unbelievable.”
Read more: This is exactly what happened in the Brockholes Brow crash
Another said: “I’m signing because I agree that the sentence given was far too lenient for the crime. If anything it should be increased. Two young girls had their lives cut drastically short because of his negligent behaviour and this is something that their families will have to live with for the rest of their lives.”
A family spokesman said: “On behalf of the late Shelby Maher (17), the family would like to make a plea to the Attorney General to dismiss the appeal made by Mohmed Salman Patel of his conviction and sentence for the killing of Miss Shelby Maher (17) and Miss Rachel Murphy (23) by texting while driving, and to review his unduly lenient sentence of six years on which the court ruled that Mr Patel will only serve three years in effect 1.5 years for each life taken.
The petition can be found at Petitions 24.