Taxi driver Mohammed Parvaiz killer loses appeal to cut sentence

Oct 16 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

One of Murphy’s accomplices, Michael Hand – who is a year younger – received a minimum term of 21 years, while two even younger youths received tariffs of 17 years.

Yesterday James Goss QC, representing Murphy, argued that a 25-year minimum term was too long for a person as young as 21 and should be reduced.

But Lord Justice Moses rejected the argument.

He said: “Quite apart from the racial aggravation, from the fact that this was a murder for gain, this was a revenge killing, carefully planned.

“The fact that the taxi driver was on duty was ascertained in advance. The obscure and remote area in which the attack was to take place was planned.

“There were further features which aggravated this offence. This was an innocent public servant carrying out his public duties as a taxi driver, a post particularly vulnerable.

“Further, it was an offence which caused a public outcry and, while public outcry can never be the measure of the propriety of a sentence, in this particular case, it was wholly justified.

“And the outrage demonstrated by the fact that 2,000 taxi drivers went on strike in sympathy was wholly understandable.

“All of these features were carefully reflected in the measured response of the judge in her sentencing remarks.

“Significant though this sentence was, it was justified and it was not manifestly excessive.”

Murphy will only be freed after serving his minimum term if he can convince the Parole Board the danger he poses to the public has passed.

If released, he will remain subject to strict life licence conditions with the threat of immediate recall to prison if he ever puts a foot wrong again.