The case of Marcus Staniforth and a 16-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons has been sent to the Court of Appeal, which will decide whether the minimum terms imposed on the pair should be increased.
Both teenagers were given life sentences at Cardiff Crown Court earlier this year for the murder of 38-year-old Mr Aman, who was stabbed to the heart with a kitchen knife during a late-night attack in Barry.
Mr Aman had just dropped off shopping at his mother’s home and was getting back into his car in Barry Road when he was targeted without provocation.
The court heard that the younger boy “went off like a firework” after briefly locking eyes with Mr Aman, shouting: “What you looking at bro?” before vowing to “beat people up”.
The youths, who had been drinking heavily throughout the day, went after Mr Aman as he sat in his Volkswagen Passat. One of them tried to open the locked passenger door, forcing Mr Aman to get out of the vehicle, where he was punched and confronted in the street.
While the struggle continued, Staniforth ran back to the house, armed himself with a kitchen knife and returned to the scene.
Prosecutors said Staniforth tried several times to stab Mr Aman before landing a single blow that pierced his heart.
The teenagers then left him to bleed on the pavement while concerned neighbours rushed to help and called emergency services. During the aftermath, one of the boys repeatedly shouted vile racist slurs as Mr Aman lay fatally wounded.
A jury convicted both defendants of murder after they had admitted manslaughter. Staniforth, now 17, was ordered to serve at least 17 years in prison, while the 16 year old received a minimum term of 15 years.
Following a review under the unduly lenient sentence scheme, the Attorney General’s Office confirmed that law officers had asked the Court of Appeal to look again at the case, saying they agreed the terms appeared too low.
A date for the hearing has not yet been set.
The court previously heard emotional statements from Mr Aman’s family, who described him as a loving husband, devoted son and doting father. His wife said their young daughter had lost her “best friend” and would grow up without her father by her side.
A reporting restriction protecting the identity of the 16-year-old remains in force until 25 February 2027.
