Teenage killer's bid to have his sentence cut is rejected

A TEENAGE killer's bid to have his jail sentence cut for a fatal attack on a delivery driver has been rejected by appeal judges.

John Reid, 16, was ordered to be detained for five years after admitting the culpable homicide of Simon San, 40, but claimed the sentence was excessive.

Reid punched his victim, who struck his head on the pavement after youths rocked his Smart car in Lochend Road on August 11 this year.

Lord Clarke, sitting with Lord Woolman, at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh yesterday, refused Reid's appeal and said: "This was a serious matter which clearly justified a substantial custodial sentence."

The victim's brother and sister, Duc and Shirley, attended the hearing and said through a spokesperson that the family was "relieved" the court had upheld the decision.

Mr San, 40, was delivering meals for his sister who ran the Yong Hua Gardens takeaway.