A heartbroken mother only found out that the jail sentence of her son's killer had been slashed when she read it in the M.E.N.

An investigation has been launched after Tracey Cowley discovered in the paper that Andrew Whalley, who ran over her son Mark, had successfully had his term cut by over a quarter.

Whalley, 37, was locked up in November last year after admitting causing Mark's death by dangerous driving.

He mounted the pavement in Stalybridge town centre and hit the father-of-one after a row over debts.

But judges at London's Appeal Court cut his term from eight years to five-and-a-half last month.

And Miss Cowley, 46, says she was left 'stunned' when she found out about the reduction in the paper.

She has launched a blistering attack on the authorities for not notifying her in advance that Whalley was to make an appeal.

Disgusting

“It's disgusting,” she said. “Absolutely disgusting. I heard nothing from the CPS and nothing from the Probation Service or Family Liaison officer. I came home from work and there it was in the paper.”

Whalley went looking Mark and his father. They had earlier smashed windows at Whalley's house after a row over money.

He hit Mark at the junction of Booth Close and Hollins Street and, as he lay dying, assaulted his father.

Whalley's sentence was reduced after the court accepted a glass thrown at his car had distracted him.

Miss Cowley said she was 'disgusted' with what happened and called for action.

She added: “If I'd have known I would have been there to argue against it.

“We accepted the sentence at the time, but five-and-a-half years is not enough.

“Someone, somewhere has not done what they should have done and they should be held responsible. To find out like this is not right.”

A CPS spokesman said they were not given a date for the hearing by the Court of Appeal and added that had they done so they would have appeared themselves.

He said: “It is standard procedure in these cases for the Court of Appeal to formally notify the relevant prosecuting authority of a defendant’s intention to lodge an appeal. We would then liaise with victims and witnesses.

“Unfortunately, whilst we received notice that Mr Whalley was intending to appeal, we did not receive the standard follow-up information detailing the date and time of that appeal.

“We are currently making inquiries with the Court of Appeal as to why this was the case. We will then notify Ms Cowley immediately.”

“Whenever, there is an appeal in a case involving a fatality, and where the family will be attending the hearing, the CPS considers it to be of the utmost importance that the Crown be represented at that hearing.”

No comment was given by the Court of Appeal.