Mohammed, Farooq

Farooq Mohammed was convicted in July 2003 at Leeds Crown Court of robbery and received a sentence of ten years’ imprisonment.

Mr Mohammed appealed against the sentence but was refused leave by a Single Judge in January 2004. In November 2004 his co-defendants appealed separately citing the fact that no firearm had been used. Their sentences were reduced.

Solicitors for Mr Mohammed, who had abandoned his renewed application for leave to appeal against his sentence, asked the court to grant leave for Mr Mohammed to have his notice of abandonment set aside as a nullity in light of the reduction in sentence received by his co-accused.

In October 2005, the full court refused the application to set the notice of abandonment aside.

The court was of the view, however, that it would be an injustice if Mr Mohammed, who had pleaded guilty, did not receive the same reduction as those who had contested the proceedings but had persevered with their renewed applications.

The court indicated that the matter should be brought to the attention of the CCRC.

The CCRC received an application for review of Mr Mohammed’s sentence in October 2005.

Following review, the CCRC concluded that the original sentences imposed on Mr Mohammed and his co-defendants did not reflect the fact that no firearm, or imitation firearm, was used in the robbery, and as the Court of Appeal had reduced the sentences of Mr Mohammed’s co-defendants there was a real possibility it would reduce Mr Mohammed’s sentence for the same reason.

The CCRC referred Mr Mohammed’s sentence in October 2005.

The Court of Appeal reduced the sentence to eight years’ imprisonment in December 2005.