THE prison sentence handed to a former Dorset police officer who killed his long-term lover in a pub car park has been put forward for a potential extension due to a view that it was "unduly lenient".

Timothy Brehmer was convicted of the manslaughter of Claire Parry after being acquitted of murdering her following a trial at Salisbury Crown Court last month.

Brehmer, aged 41 and of Hordle, New Forest, was jailed for 10 years and six months by Judge Mr Justice Richard Jacobs.

A request has been made to the Attorney General's Office for the dismissed Dorset Police constable's sentence to be reviewed under the unduly lenient sentence system, which only applies to crown court sentences for a selection of crimes, including manslaughter.

Once the case has been reviewed it could be sent to the Court of Appeal. If this does take place, a decision will then be taken on whether the sentence should stay the same, is unreasonably low and may increase, or the court may refuse to hear the case.

A conclusion on whether the case should go to the Court of Appeal must take place within 28 days of sentencing, meaning staff in the Attorney General's Office must complete this process by Wednesday, November 25.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office said: “We have received a request for the case of Timothy Brehmer to be considered under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.

"The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case.”

As reported, Brehmer killed Mrs Parry at the Horns Inn pub car park in West Parley on May 9.

During a sentencing hearing on October 28, Judge Jacobs said he was “sure” Brehmer intended to take Mrs Parry by the neck after she sent a text to his wife revealing the affair.

Judge Jacobs sentenced Brehmer on the basis that he lost control after the message was sent rather than on the basis he unintentionally killed her.

He said: “No words of mine can convey the tragedy for Claire’s family of the events of that Saturday afternoon. Your actions have robbed the wider community of a highly qualified nurse, who loved her job and looking after people.

“Your actions have not only cut short her life at a young age, and robbed the community of a nurse, but you have deprived her family of a daughter, wife and mother; as well as a sister and niece.

“Andrew Parry will, as he says, feel the emotional impact of this incident for the rest of his life. You robbed him of the chance to save his marriage and keep his family together.

“It is clear from the evidence at the trial that Claire Parry had decided that that is what she really wanted, and that she had had enough of you.”

He said Brehmer would serve two thirds of his sentence in custody and the rest on licence.

Brehmer was dismissed from Dorset Police and placed on the national barred list following a private misconduct hearing in September.