'Disgust' that teenage killer may see sentence cut

Bardia Shojaeifard was 14 when he fatally stabbed Alfie Lewis in November 2023

The mother of a schoolboy stabbed to death by a 14-year-old has spoken of her "disgust" at learning her son's killer could apply for a reduction in his sentence after less than seven years in jail.

Alfie Lewis, 15, died after being stabbed in the heart and leg outside a primary school in Horsforth, Leeds, on 7 November 2023.

Bardia Shojaeifard was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 13 years in June 2024.

However, Ministry of Justice rules state that due to his age, he could apply for a review of the length of his sentence after serving half, which could take place in 2030.

Heather Lane, Alfie's mother, received the communication from the Ministry of Justice in the lead-up to the two year anniversary of her son's death.

"I think it's disgusting, I think it's horrible. I think 13 years was an insult to Alfie," she said.

"He could be out when Alfie is gone. How's that fair?

Heather Lane said two years on from her son's murder, the realisation that he would never come home was beginning to sink in

Any review of an application to cut the tariff - or minimum length of time in prison - would be decided by the High Court.

The threshold for a reduction is based on "exceptional progress" by the individual.

Any reduction in the tariff would bring forward Shojaeifard's parole eligibility but does not mean he would be released.

A government spokesperson said: "The murder of Alfie Lewis was a heinous crime, and our greatest sympathy goes to his mother and family.

"Bardia Shojaeifard will only be released if the Parole Board - which is independent of government - decides it is safe after a thorough risk assessment.

"Even if released, he will be monitored by the Probation Service and can be brought back to jail to keep the public safe."

The reasoning behind allowing young offenders' sentences to be reviewed from the half-way point was made because children are "still developing and maturing".

Alfie was stabbed to death in Horsforth, Leeds, in November 2023

A two-week trial at Leeds Crown Court heard Shojaeifard had pushed Alfie to the ground before he stabbed him twice "in full view" of a group of other school children.

Visiting a memorial bench at Horsforth Hall Park for the first time since her son's death, Ms Lane said: "Reality is starting to come that he's not coming home.

"When we got the phone call that he'd been stabbed and we ran up to him, I didn't go to him because he was having CPR done and I didn't want to get in the way.

"I just wish I had held him and just made everyone move out the way."

Ms Lane added there were plans to work with schools in Leeds next year to help educate children on the impact of knife crime.

It is set to be called the Alfie Lewis Project.

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