Young footballer Andrew Hall who stabbed girlfriend 60 times has 'unduly lenient' sentence for her murder increased

A promising young footballer who murdered his 15-year-old girlfriend had his “unduly lenient” sentence increased by Court of Appeal judges today.

Andrew Hall, 18, a scholar at Stoke City Academy, was originally sentenced in September to life with a minimum term of 10 years.

Hall, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire, pleaded guilty to murdering Megan-Leigh Peat, whom he stabbed 60 times in an attack of "extreme brutality" during which he used two knives.

His minimum term - the least time he must serve behind bars before becoming eligible to apply for parole - was increased to 15 years by three judges in London.

Lady Justice Rafferty, Mr Justice Globe and Mr Justice Leggatt agreed with submissions made on behalf of Attorney General Dominic Grieve that the 10-year minimum was too low and did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the crime.

Hall's victim, described by family as a caring, loving and bright girl, was stabbed repeatedly in the head, neck and upper chest at a mutual friend's home where the pair were alone.

Luton Crown Court heard in September that the couple argued about Hall's jealousy, an issue that regularly caused problems throughout their nine-month relationship.

The appeal judges heard on Hall's behalf today that the attack was a "catastrophic loss of control" and he was genuinely remorseful for what he did.

PA