British AG denies request to review Holland sentences

The family of murdered Belfast man Harry Holland has suffered a further blow with news that the British Attorney General has turned down a request to review the sentences given to his killers.

The North's Director of Public Prosecutions had asked for the sentences to be reviewed on the grounds that they were too lenient.

The man convicted of Mr Holland's murder got life with a recommendation of 12 years, but murder charges against a second man and an underage girl were dropped.

The second man got four years for affray and the girl got two years' probation.

In addition, their guilty pleas meant the judge did not hear eyewitness evidence about what the family say are aggravating factors.

The British Attorney General, however, says the sentences were within the judge's guidelines.

Mr Holland's family and political supporters in the SDLP and Sinn Féin say they will be considering what legal options are now available.