A GRIEVING mother has hit out after two people convicted in connection with the murder of her teenage daughter appealed against their sentences. Emma Last, 18, who lived in Braintree, admitted murdering 17-year-old Debra Carne in a quiet country lane near to her Sible Hedingham home on July 28, 2002.

A GRIEVING mother has hit out after two people convicted in connection with the murder of her teenage daughter appealed against their sentences.

Emma Last, 18, who lived in Braintree, admitted murdering 17-year-old Debra Carne in a quiet country lane near to her Sible Hedingham home on July 28, 2002.

She was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve at least 20 years before being allowed to apply for parole.

Nicole Hollinshead, 20, from Halstead, was cleared of murder and manslaughter but jailed for five years after she was found guilty of conspiracy to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Yesterday, the Court of Appeal confirmed the two women had appealed against the length of their sentences.

Speaking exclusively to the EADT, Miss Carne's mother, Heather Knight, of Swan Court, Sible Hedingham, said she felt the law worked in favour of the criminals and against the victims and their family.

"Hollinshead only got five years, so what is she moaning about, especially as she will probably only do half of that?

"I just think the whole thing is appalling. To me she was the one that was behind it and if she gets anything from this I will be devastated – it is like salt in the wound for me.

"If they give her less, there will be hell to pay. They have rights to do this, but I can't say anything and have to be lumbered with what they do."

Miss Knight added she would be keeping a close watch on what happens but said she could not believe the sentences might be reduced.

Next week will mark two years since the murder and Miss Knight is hoping some of her daughter's most precious possessions, including her diary, will soon be returned to her having been used as part of the police evidence.

No application had been made by Kerry Bauer, 21, convicted of murder, or Steven Wood, 24, of Parker Way, Halstead, who was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of manslaughter.

Miss Carne was lured to the scene of her death where she was set upon by Bauer and Last, who both lived the Foyer hostel in Braintree.

The pair, who had never met their victim, had plotted revenge after Hollinshead claimed she had been interfering with her relationship with her boyfriend, Wood.

Miss Carne was beaten and asphyxiated before being set on fire in Dyne's Hall Road, the route to Hopwell's Farm between Halstead and the Hedinghams.

A spokeswoman for the court of appeal said: "At the moment they have things ready to go to a single judge who will decide whether or not to give leave to appeal.

"The single judge will give a decision as to whether or not the defendant should be granted leave to appeal against sentence.

"If leave to appeal is given, the case will go to the full court of appeal. If it is refused, it is up to the applicant to renew the appeal, but after the first refusal there is no legal aid and therefore no legal representation unless the applicant decides to fund it him or herself."

She said the initial appeal with the single judge could happen at any time now, but then could take up to four weeks before a decision.

"Usually it takes a year or so to go before the full court of appeal, unless there are complications. Each case is on its own merits in terms of how long it will take."