Case Referral to Court of Appeal
Two teenagers sentenced to life imprisonment for the unprovoked racist murder of a stranger have had their case referred to the Court of Appeal to determine whether their sentences are unduly lenient.
The victims of the attack was Kamran Aman, who was delivering groceries to his mother's residence in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.
The 38-year-old Mr. Aman was fatally stabbed through the heart and subjected to racist abuse as he lay dying on the floor of a neighbour's house.
Marcus Staniforth, aged 17, and a 16-year-old boy, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, may face extended sentences following the referral.
Staniforth, who retrieved a knife from a nearby house during the attack, was sentenced to 17 years at Cardiff Crown Court in February, while the younger defendant received a 15-year sentence.
Mr Justice Griffiths described Staniforth as a "very dangerous young person indeed" and told the 16-year-old that he "instigated a deliberate, unprovoked, sustained, violent racist attack", adding he was "old enough to know that to cause serious injury on a stranger because of his race was wrong".
Details of the Attack
The fatal incident occurred after Mr. Aman arrived on Barry Road at 23:50 BST on 30 June and parked a few doors away from his mother's home.
Prior to the attack, Staniforth and the younger boy had been drinking and consuming drugs at a house on the same street, where they continued to drink.
The younger defendant noticed Mr. Aman sitting in his car below and decided to assault him. He initially took a hammer from the house but was disarmed.
The youth then began shouting racist abuse at Mr. Aman. After an unsuccessful attempt to enter the passenger side of the car, he moved to the driver's side.
Mr. Aman exited the vehicle and defended himself against a series of punches first thrown by the 16-year-old and then by Staniforth, who joined the assault.
Several neighbours reported being alarmed by the shouting and described the attack as "relentless", with the assailants behaving like a "pack of animals".
Staniforth was observed running back into the house and returning approximately 15 seconds later armed with a large kitchen knife.
Neighbours who testified during the trial stated that Staniforth swung the knife multiple times during the attack.
As Mr. Aman bled to death, the attackers remained intent on continuing the assault, with the younger defendant bending over the victim while shouting racist abuse.
Mr. Aman sustained a single stab wound through the heart, a fatal injury despite paramedics' efforts, which included emergency open-heart surgery.
Following the attack, Staniforth returned to the house and washed the knife and his hands with bleach before both boys fled the scene.
They were apprehended approximately 10 minutes after the assault, a short distance away.
Forensic evidence linked Staniforth to the crime scene, with his DNA found on the knife and Mr. Aman's blood detected on Staniforth's shorts and the younger defendant's shoes.
Sentencing and Parole Eligibility
Staniforth must serve a minimum of 16 years and 133 days before becoming eligible for parole.
The 16-year-old defendant must serve at least 14 years and 133 days before eligibility for release.
