Woman who burned brother's clothes after hit and run cannot appeal sentence

A woman who burned her brother's clothes after he seriously injured a six-year-old boy in a hit-and-run has failed in an attempt to have her sentence reduced.

Cara Haran, 25, was jailed for nine months after admitting her part in the conspiracy after her brother, Kaylem Longhurst, hit Arlo Buckley with his motorbike before fleeing the scene.

Arlo was hospitalised and left with multiple injuries after the incident in Shotton, Flintshire, on 11 September 2024.

Refusing Haran permission to appeal her sentence at the Court of Appeal, Justice Saini said the guidelines had been "correctly applied… making a generous discount down".

Frank Dillon, representing Haran, who appeared via videolink, argued her sentence had been "manifestly excessive" and failed to take into account mitigating factors.

This included her previous good character, improved accommodation situation, her efforts to "rid herself" of substance abuse as well as her "genuine remorse".

He also argued the guidelines for a suspended sentence had fallen "very much in her favour" due to factors including her low risk of reoffending, as well as the impact her incarceration would have on her three young children.

But Justice Saini said the sentencing judge had not "fallen into error" when applying the guidelines.

Regarding Haran's children, he said they "were of an age where they had been accommodated without huge disruption", being cared for by family members rather than in care.

He added that the judge had "taken into account properly the mitigation available to the applicant", which had been factored into the reduction of her sentence.

Refusing Haran's leave to appeal her sentence, Justice Saini said the offence had been "serious... and distressing".

Arlo Buckley's father Danny Buckley said he was "happy and relieved" that the appeal would not go ahead.