Overview
- A panel of Lord Justice Edis, Mr Justice Sheldon and Mr Justice Calver raised the minimum term from 16 to 18 years following a referral by Solicitor General Ellie Reeves.
- The ruling came under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, leaving Holford’s life sentence intact but delaying parole eligibility to at least 18 years.
- Trial evidence showed Holford shook five-week-old Everleigh Stroud with excessive force at her grandparents’ home in Ramsgate on April 20, 2021, causing catastrophic brain and bone injuries.
- Everleigh spent more than a year in hospital, went blind due to eye atrophy, and died aged 14 months on May 27, 2022.
- Holford, now 25, watched the decision remotely from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire and showed no emotion as the term was increased.