THE FAMILY of a young man who was killed last year have suffered a double blow in the last week.

Daniel Edwards, aged 21, of Eastern Road, Willaston, died last year after he was punched on his way home from celebrating his sister's 18th birthday in Nantwich

In May amateur boxer Bradley Sandham, aged 22, from Underwood Lane, Crewe was convicted of manslaughter and Dan's family and friends were left reeling when he was sentenced to just two and a half years.

Family friend Ken Veitch wrote to Gwyneth Dunwoody MP who passed on the letter to the Lord Chancellor's office.

But the family were told that it was too late to appeal and that the sentence is normal in this sort of case.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority awards a standard amount if someone has died through a criminal act, usually £10,000.

The family were told that as Mr Edwards is a lone parent and because of what they called Dan's actions before, during and after the event, he would receive only half that amount - just £5,000.

Dan's father Geoff Edwards said he was writing to Jack Straw about the situation and added: "Apparently there is a 30 day limit which we weren't aware of and after that it seems to be impossible to do anything about it except to lobby people, which we are going to do.

"Ken received a copy of a letter from the CPS which said a sentence of one to three years is normal which has horrified us. Then we heard from the CICA, it's very much a double blow.

"We weren't told we had 30 days to appeal, at the time you are in shock, it's a horrible experience and this is just adding to the upset. We are devastated by the whole thing."

Family friend Ken Veitch said: "This sends out the wrong message to people.

"I don't think there is anyone involved in this case who wants to be vindictive and see the lad locked away for a long time but it seems to be rather lenient.

"It would occur to me that possibly it might be helpful if families were given more information about their rights of appeal or how the CPS operates as there seems to be a lack of information."

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