A five-year jail sentence handed to a bus driver who beat a man to death following a row over queue-jumping at a Sainsbury's has been branded 'paltry' by the shadow justice secretary.
Demiesh Williams, 30, was jailed for five years for the fatal assault on Andrew Clark, 43, in Beckenham, south London. The sentence has drawn criticism from Robert Jenrick, who accused the Labour Party of pursuing a policy of 'soft sentencing'.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Jenrick said: 'Williams committed an appalling crime and yet his prison sentence is paltry. A five year sentence, reduced further under the early release scheme, is not justice. I am writing to the Attorney General asking that it is reconsidered.'
Woolwich Crown Court heard an argument broke out when Williams pushed ahead in a shop queue, and Mr Clark challenged him. Williams threatened to 'take him outside' before returning to his parked car, where he put on a balaclava. As Mr Clark was leaving the shop, Williams attacked him, causing Mr Clark to fall and hit his head on the pavement. He died in hospital three days later.
Williams denied murder but admitted manslaughter. The prosecution accepted his guilty plea to the lesser charge. Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Lees said: 'Andrew Clark was 43 at the time of his death. He was a hard-working family man.' The judge noted the family's 'unimaginable grief' and sentenced Williams to five years and three months, with eligibility for release after serving two-thirds.
