Two violent attackers have had their sentences increased today after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred them for being too low.

On July 16 last year, Aiden St Louis, 19, and Mohammed Gedi, 22, chased their victim Aran O’Callaghan into a 24-hour McDonald's in New Road, Gravesend, and carried out a sustained attack in front of horrified onlookers.

St Louis was armed and repeatedly stabbed the 18-year-old with a kitchen knife.

The pair were originally sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court in March.

St Louis, from Cliftonville, received six-and-a-half years’ imprisonment in a young offenders’ institution, with an extension period of three years.

Gedi, from Essex, received seven years’ imprisonment.

Today, after the Solicitor General’s reference, the Court of Appeal increased St Louis’ sentence to nine years, with an extension period of three years, and Gedi’s to nine years and six months.

Commenting on the sentence increase, the Solicitor General said: “This was a vicious and sustained attack, which deserved a tougher punishment.

"I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has today agreed with my referral and increased Mr St Louis and Mr Gedi’s sentences to reflect this.”