The life sentences handed down to two teenage boys convicted of the racist murder of 38-year-old Kamran Aman in Wales have been referred to the Court of Appeal amid concerns the sentences could be “unduly lenient”.Marcus Staniforth, 17, and a 16-year-old boy, whose identity is protected by law, were jailed for life after brutally attacking Aman outside his mother’s home in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, earlier this year.The victim, described as a devoted husband and father, had given groceries to his mother just before midnight on June 30 last year when he was attacked without provocation.

Who was Kamran Aman??

Kamran Aman, 38, was a grocery delivery driver and family man who had visited his mother’s home on Barry Road shortly before the attack. According to prosecutors, Aman was preparing to return to his car when the teenagers targeted him.Court proceedings revealed that the attackers had been drinking and taking drugs at a nearby house before spotting Aman sitting in his vehicle.Before trying to confront Aman, the young defendant allegedly began shouting racist abuse, including anti-Pakistan slurs.

The attack was described as ‘relentless’

After failing to enter the passenger side of the car, the teen came to the driver’s side, forcing Aman to get out and defend himself when he was punched.Witnesses described the attacks as “relentless”, with neighbors telling the court that the boys behaved like a “pack of animals”.During the attack, Staniforth fled to a nearby house and returned a short time later carrying a large kitchen knife. Eyewitnesses said he swung the weapon several times before stabbing Aman in the heart.Even as the victim lay in a pool of blood, the younger boy allegedly continued to use racist abuse, including the N-word and slurs targeting Pakistani people.

Evidence and arrest

Paramedics attempted emergency open-heart surgery at the scene, but Aman died of fatal chest wounds.The court heard that after the stabbing, Staniforth went back inside the house and attempted to wash the knife and his hands with bleach before the two teenagers fled.Within about 10 minutes of the attack, the police arrested him at a short distance. Investigators later found Staniforth’s DNA on the knife, while Aman’s blood was found on the boys’ clothes and shoes.

Court can increase the punishment

At Cardiff Crown Court in February, Staniforth received a life sentence with a minimum of 17 years, while the 16-year-old was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years before being eligible for parole.Mr Justice Griffiths described Staniforth as “a very dangerous young man indeed” and told the young defendant that he had “instigated a deliberate, unprovoked, sustained, violent racist attack”.The case has now been referred under an unnecessarily lenient sentencing scheme, meaning the appeal court judge will decide whether the minimum prison sentence should be increased.