The sentence of a teenager jailed for stabbing an innocent man in a case of mistaken identity has has been referred to the Attorney General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

Joshua Boardman, 17, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years and seven months on November 30 after pleading guilty to the murder of Hiwa Al-Khani on July 8.

Boardman, of Holman Street, Preston, killed Mr Al-Khani after climbing into his car in Raikes Road, Preston, and arguing with him, after mistaking him for another man he suspected of sending messages to a friend of his, a teenage girl.

After they got out of the car and continued to argue in the street, Boardman mercilessly stabbed Mr Al-Khani, 27, in the elbow, leg and chest.

The intended target was sat in a car nearby and witnessed the attack and went to the aid of Mr al-Khani, not realising at the time he had just witnessed what was intended to be his own murder.

Lancashire Telegraph: Hiwa Al-Khani was murdered by Joshua BoardmanHiwa Al-Khani was murdered by Joshua Boardman (Image: Lancs Police)

Boardman was arrested close to the scene that day and charged with murder, which he admitted, along with possession of a bladed article.

Sentenced at Preston Crown Court last month, he will be at least 31 years old before he is even considered for release from prison.

However, this sentence could be extended after his case was referred to the Attorney General’s office under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

Anyone can ask a sentence they deem to be too lenient to be reviewed by the AG’s office, and if the referral is deemed worthy of another look, it can be sent to the Court of Appeal.

If it is referred to the highest court in the land, judges there will either extend the sentence or decide the sentencing judge’s decision was correct. The Court of Appeal can even refuse to hear the case if the review is deemed frivolous.

The Attorney General’s Office has 28 days from the day of sentencing to decided whether to send a case to the Court of Appeal.

Police described Mr Al-Khani’s death as “shocking, tragic and wholly avoidable” and “shows the devastating impact that knife crime has”.

His family said: “Hiwa was a decent person, with a good personality who believed that everyone was good.

“He was a very optimistic person and had lots of plans and desires for the future, with hopes to get married and have children.”