Sentences for Bhim's killers 'do not reflect the crime'

DAUGHTER SPEAKS OUT OVER KILLERS' PUNISHMENT

- By TOM MACK and STAFF REPORTER

BHIM Kohli's daughter is "angry and disappointed" with the sentences handed down to his killers, saying the sentences did not reflect the crime.

A 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl, who cannot be named, were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday for the manslaughter of Mr Kohli, 80, who was attacked in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, on September 1.

Both children were convicted by a jury of manslaughter in April, while the boy was cleared of murder.

High Court judge Mr Justice Turner handed the boy, who was 14 at the time of the killing, seven years' detention, and the girl, who was 12, a three-year youth rehabilitation order.

The court heard the boy pushed, kicked and punched Mr Kohli, while the girl recorded parts of the attack while laughing.

Speaking outside court after sentencing, Mr Kohli's daughter Susan said: "The death of my dad has left a hole in our family, a hole that can never be filled because of the actions of two teenagers on that Sunday evening last September.

"I believe on that day the two teenagers made a choice. The teenage boy chose to attack my dad and the girl chose to film him being attacked. They knew what they were doing.

"I feel angry and disappointed the sentence they have both received does not, I believe, reflect the severity of the crime they committed.

"I understand the judge has guidelines, but they have taken a life and, as a result, our lives have been changed forever.

"When they are released, they still have their full lives ahead of them. They can rebuild their lives. We can't."

Ms Kohli said "more could have been done" to prevent her father's death.

She said: "If police were able to have more visible patrols in the area following the previous reports of anti-social behaviour, then Dad could still be alive today.

"We don't want any other family to endure the pain and heartbreak that we have of losing someone this way."