WALTHAMSTOW: Bid to increase killer's sentence successful

The family of Anthony Kearney, aka MC Boogaloo, lodged the appeal against the sentence handed to Ulysses Carbon, who was convicted of his manslaughter in December 2008.

A hearing took place at the Court of Appeal today (Thursday) and it was decided Carbon's five-year sentence should be extended to eight years.

David Bruce, Anthony's brother-in-law, attended the hearing on behalf of the family.

Mr Bruce, 44, an IT tutor of Chingford, said: “He was due to be released in February 2010 and as I understand it now, the earliest he will leave will be August 2011.

“We feel vindicated to a point but it's been very difficult.”

Anthony's brother, Dean Kearney, 30, of Chingford Road, Walthamstow, added: “I lost my mum as well, just before Christmas, because of deteriorating health – she died of a broken heart really.

“I wouldn't say I was over the moon as it's not going to bring my brother back but it's better news.”

Carbon, 31, of Tristam Close, Walthamstow, killed Anthony, 34, also of Chingford Road, with a single stab wound to the leg in August 2007.

The pair had been at a party in a flat in Forest Road, Walthamstow and became involved in an argument.

Anthony stumbled outside after he was stabbed but paramedics were unable to save him, despite trying for 45 minutes.

At the time of sentencing, Carbon had already served about a third of his jail term.

“The police were really thrown off their seats – they only thought he'd get another three to six months,” Dean said.

He has suffered from depression and drug problems since his brother's death but is now following in his brother's footsteps by pursuing a career in music.

“I'm channelling my pain into other things and it's making me a better person,” he said.

Dean now plans to release a single in memory of his brother, under the name KDP.

To listen to the song, entitled “Why?”, which features the London Community Gospel Choir, visit myspace.com/kdp2009