Adam Ali, 20, from Manchester, has had his sentence increased by more than two years by the Court of Appeal after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

The court heard that on the evening of 15 October 2022, Ali drove dangerously with three passengers in the car having passed his test a few months earlier.

Ali drove through a residential area in wet conditions, in excess of 60mph in an area with a 30mph speed limit. However, he lost control of the car and smashed it into a lamp post.

Ben Burbridge, a 16-year-old passenger in the back of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering catastrophic brain injuries.

Justin Saidi, who was 17 at the time, was hospitalised after he suffered multiple injuries including a collapsed lung, bleeding between his lung and ribcage and fractured ribs and shoulders.

The court heard that Ali had previously been caught speeding and misusing his car horn, and the fatal accident occurred while he was waiting for his speed awareness course to start.

While awaiting trial, Ali was caught speeding on two further occasions and later caused another road accident while banned from driving – all while inhaling a nitrous oxide canister at the wheel.

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

Ben Burbridge was only 16 years old when he died and he had his whole future ahead of him. His life was tragically cut short by Adam Ali’s dangerous driving.

I welcome the court’s decision to increase Ali’s sentence following my referral. This government is committed to ensuring those who drive dangerously are punished appropriately.

On 27 January 2025, Adam Ali was sentenced to 4 years detention for one count of death by dangerous driving and another for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

On 15 April 2025, this sentence was quashed and substituted with a new sentence of 6 years and 4 months detention after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.