Trio given extra jail time following death of Luke O'Connell

The three men, who were originally sentenced on September this year to nine years after they were found guilty of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm, will now serve additional time after the Crown Prosecution Service submitted an appeal.

Luke was stabbed in Gammons Lane, Watford, during the early hours of August 31, 2019.

During a seven-week trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury was told how police were called just before 3am to reports of a three-vehicle collision and a subsequent fight.

Officers attended and found Luke with stab wounds.

He was rushed to hospital where he later died.

The scene of the stabbing in Gammons Lane, Watford

Mohammed Haroon Azad, 23, of Nicholas Close, Watford, will now serve 13 years for manslaughter and two years concurrent for assault.

Mohammed Hamza Shah, 21 of Hagden Lane, Watford and Umar Safraz, of Whippendell Road, will each serve 12 years for manslaughter and two years concurrent for assault.

During the seven-week trial at Reading Crown Court this summer, the court heard Luke was a back-seat passenger of a VW Golf being driven by another man. The pair had an ongoing dispute with a group of men which came to a head.

A car chase ensued which resulted in a crash.

The group of men are said to have used weapons to attack the VW Golf and the men inside.

The scene of the stabbing in Gammons Lane, Watford

Luke was stabbed and suffered a wound to the chest which proved fatal.

The second man was also assaulted and stabbed.

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “We strongly felt that the original sentences were unduly lenient and we’re pleased the appeal was successful.

“Nothing can ever bring Luke back and his family are still suffering every single day, but it was important to us to try and provide them with a greater sense of justice. I hope these increased sentences can now bring some closure as they look to move forward.”