Man loses appeal to have sentence reduced by four days

An aggravated robber who killed another inmate while in prison has lost a bid to have four days shaved off his 13 1/2-year sentence.

Christopher Holland killed James Henry Elliott Tyson, 52, a year before he was due for release. He was charged with manslaughter and remanded in custody until convicted on March 6, 1998.

He did not leave prison when his original sentence finished on January 18, 1998.

Holland argued in the Court of Appeal that he was unlawfully kept in jail for four extra days. He was originally due to be released on a Sunday, but section 93 of the Criminal Justice Act says inmates should not be released on, or close to, a weekend.

Holland said that meant his release date should have been brought back to the previous Wednesday.

Justice Peter Blanchard said section 93 did not apply as Holland was staying in jail.