The driver convicted of killing two young Preston women as they crossed Brockholes Brow has launched a new bid to have his sentence cut.

Mohamed Salman Patel, 27, was distracted by his mobile phone when he knocked down and killed Rachel Murphy, 23, and Shelby Maher, 17, on April 20 2016.

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The accountant, from Blackburn, was convicted of causing their deaths by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years, following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Read more: This is exactly what happened in the Brockholes Brow crash

Patel applied to the Attorney General to appeal his conviction and sentence but last week the Single Judge turned down the application.

Now the Appeals Unit has confirmed Patel, an accountant from Blackburn, has renewed his application to appeal his sentence.

They told Blog Preston: “Mohamed Patel has renewed his application for leave to appeal against his sentence.

“This means that the matter will now be listed for a Renewal hearing.

“This is a short administrative hearing and should leave be granted at this stage, the matter will be adjourned to allow Prosecution Counsel and any family members to attend.”

More than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for the Attorney General to block Patel’s appeal.