02/02/2007

Schoolgirl killers win right to appeal

Two men jailed for the murder of Nottingham schoolgirl Danielle Beccan have been granted permission to challenge their convictions.

Junior Andrews, 26, of no fixed address and Mark Kelly, 23, of the Meadows in Nottingham were found guilty of murder in October 2005 and jailed for life, with a recommended minimum term of 32 years.

Both men had denied murdering the 14-year-old, who was shot and fatally injured as she walked through the St Anns area of Nottingham on her way home from the annual Goose Fair in October 2004.

On Friday, lawyers at London's Criminal Appeal Court argued that the jury's guilty verdicts were unsafe and that their minimum sentences were "manifestly excessive".

Both men were granted permission to appeal against their convictions and minimum sentences.

The full appeal is expected to be heard within the next two months.

(KMcA)


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