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Sentence of driver who killed teens to be reviewed

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
News imageLincolnshire Police Police custody picture of Natasha Allarakhia. She has black hair tied back and is looking to the side.Lincolnshire Police
Natasha Allarakhia, 36, was speeding at 96mph just before the crash

An MP said the "unduly lenient" sentence given to a woman who killed two teenagers after drinking alcohol while driving has been referred to the Court of Appeal.

Natasha Allarakhia, 36, was jailed for 10 years after she smashed into the back of a stationary Ford Fiesta whilst speeding at 96mph (154km/h) on the A17 at North Rauceby in June 2024.

The driver of the Fiesta, William Ray, 17, and passenger, Eddie Shore,18, died. A second passenger, Jack Prince, 18, suffered life-changing injuries.

Dr Caroline Johnson, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, said she welcomed the referral to the Court of Appeal from the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

Following the sentencing at Lincoln Crown Court in August, Dr Johnson wrote to the AGO calling for the sentence to be looked at.

In a letter to Dr Johnson dated 11 September, the AGO said it had received "numerous requests" to review the sentence.

"The Court will decide in due course whether the sentence imposed was unduly lenient and if so whether to substitute a different sentence", the letter stated.

News imageFamily handout William Ray on the left. He has dark curly hair and is wearing a white T-shirt. Eddie Shore on the right. He is wearing a black North Face jacket and has a grey hood up. He also has dark curly hair. Family handout
William Ray (left), 17, and Eddie Shore, 18, died in the crash

In her initial letter, Dr Johnson said the two teenagers had been friends for many years and were looking forward to bright futures, having just completed their A-levels.

"The lives of their families and friends will never be the same again.

"She has also fundamentally changed the lives of the passengers who survived the crash," Dr Johnson said.

In light of this, Dr Johnson described Allarakhia's sentence as "woefully inadequate".

News imageHouse of Commons Head and shoulders shot of Dr Caroline Johnson. She has dark shoulder-length hair and is wearing glasses and a blue jacket.House of Commons
Dr Johnson called for a review of the sentence

At sentencing the court heard Allarakhia, of Turner Crescent, Norwich, laughed when she passed a roadside breath test despite her daughters, aged seven and 12, being in the car with her.

All four occupants of the Fiesta were taken to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where Mr Ray and Mr Shore later died from their injuries.

The court heard the defendant had five previous convictions for 12 offences, including a bad driving record.

Dr Johnson said Allarakhia had been warned on several occasions about her dangerous driving, but "persisted in this behaviour, showing a chronic disregard for the rules of the road".

In mitigation, Edward Renvoize, said Allarakhia had shown genuine remorse which was emphasised by her demeanour in court.

"She did not set out to hurt anyone," he said.

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