A PLEA to potentially extend the jail time of a boy who murdered a 15-year-old in Slough has been thrown out by the government.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been in prison since being convicted for the murder of Elton Gashaj in March 2020.

Elton, 15, was fatally stabbed in the chest by the boy at Salt Hill Park in September 2019, when the offender was 15.

At a hearing in July 2020, the juvenile defendant was sentenced to a minimum of nine years behind bars.

READ MORE: Prison sentence for boy who stabbed 15-year-old to death

But an application to ask the Court of Appeal to consider prolonging the convict’s jail time was recently made under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The scheme allows members of the public to ask the Attorney General’s office to examine sentences handed down by Crown Courts if they believe the sentence is not strong enough or if they believe there was an error in the sentence.

However, the Attorney General dismissed the application.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office explained why.

 

Elton Gashaj was tragically stabbed in 2019.

Elton Gashaj was tragically stabbed in 2019.

 

They told the Observer: “The Solicitor General was deeply saddened by this case and wishes to extend his sympathies to the victim’s family.

“After careful consideration, the then-Solicitor General concluded that this case could not properly be referred to the Court of Appeal.

“A referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme to the Court of Appeal can only be made if a sentence is not just lenient but unduly so, such that the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range of sentences reasonably available in the circumstances of the offence.

READ MORE: Tribute paid to 'sweetest boy' Elton Gashaj after death

“The threshold is a high one, and the test was not met in this case.”

During the trial of the anonymous youth, a jury heard how Elton Gashaj died when a 30cm hunting knife 'around the size of a forearm' was plunged into his chest by the boy, who claimed it was in self-defence.

A group of 10 boys had earlier pulled up pampas grass from the ground and removed the fluffy top turning the sticks into 'play swords,' prodding at Elton on the sunny September afternoon in Salt Hill Park.

Footage from the victim's mobile phone which was shown to the court having been recorded by Elton as the teenagers poked stalks at him.

They could be heard saying 'why you flinching' just 15 minutes before the fatal stabbing.

READ MORE: Boy convicted of murdering Elton Gashaj

After the 2020 sentencing, Detective Inspector Dejan Avramovic, of the Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a tragic incident, involving two young boys, that resulted in the death of Elton Gashaj.

“A boy has been sentenced to nine years and he will be able to spend that time reflecting on his actions.”