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Danielle killers' appeal rejected Danielle killers' appeal rejected
(about 2 hours later)
Two gang members found guilty of murdering a Nottingham schoolgirl in a drive-by shooting have lost their appeals against their convictions.Two gang members found guilty of murdering a Nottingham schoolgirl in a drive-by shooting have lost their appeals against their convictions.
Mark Kelly, 23, and Junior Andrews, 26, were convicted of killing Danielle Beccan, 14, in October 2005.Mark Kelly, 23, and Junior Andrews, 26, were convicted of killing Danielle Beccan, 14, in October 2005.
She died when a gang opened fire on a group of people as they returned from the city's annual Goose Fair in 2004.She died when a gang opened fire on a group of people as they returned from the city's annual Goose Fair in 2004.
Kelly's minimum term was cut from 32 to 29 years. Andrews' sentence appeal was dismissed at the Court of Appeal.Kelly's minimum term was cut from 32 to 29 years. Andrews' sentence appeal was dismissed at the Court of Appeal.
'Consideration deserved'
Lord Justice Leveson, sitting with Mr Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Flaux, said it was a "truly appalling incident" when, for "no discernible reason", shots were fired from a car - one hit Danielle in the abdomen and she died within two hours.
He said the court interfered with the trial judge's judgment about Kelly's sentence "only reluctantly".
He added: "Nevertheless, we accept that even if the responsibility of each was the same, there was a difference between Andrews and Kelly in relation to their age and gravity of prior offending."
Orlando Pownall QC had argued in a previous hearing that the trial judge "should not have acceded" to a request by the prosecution to have statements made by Andrews' former girlfriend read to the jury.Orlando Pownall QC had argued in a previous hearing that the trial judge "should not have acceded" to a request by the prosecution to have statements made by Andrews' former girlfriend read to the jury.
We wanted the right men caught and convicted and that is what has happened Paula PlattMotherWe wanted the right men caught and convicted and that is what has happened Paula PlattMother
He said that without the written testimony of Natalie Gee the prosecution would have had "no case" against him and the trial judge would have been obliged to dismiss the murder charge.He said that without the written testimony of Natalie Gee the prosecution would have had "no case" against him and the trial judge would have been obliged to dismiss the murder charge.
Kelly's lawyer had said the trial judge failed to "adequately or fairly reflect" his defence in the summing up of the case to the jury.Kelly's lawyer had said the trial judge failed to "adequately or fairly reflect" his defence in the summing up of the case to the jury.
During the original trial, lawyers described a culture of gangs, drugs and guns, and a long-held feud between two districts of Nottingham - the Meadows and St Ann's.During the original trial, lawyers described a culture of gangs, drugs and guns, and a long-held feud between two districts of Nottingham - the Meadows and St Ann's.
After the hearing, Danielle's mother, Paula Platt, said she and Danielle's father, Dale Beccan, were "very pleased with the result".After the hearing, Danielle's mother, Paula Platt, said she and Danielle's father, Dale Beccan, were "very pleased with the result".
She said: "I have maintained from the very beginning that we didn't want innocent men locked away. We wanted the right men caught and convicted and that is what has happened.She said: "I have maintained from the very beginning that we didn't want innocent men locked away. We wanted the right men caught and convicted and that is what has happened.
"The judges have closed the case for us now and brought finality.""The judges have closed the case for us now and brought finality."