A speeding and drunk driver who killed two parents after partying in the city could have his punishment increased after one of the UK'S most senior lawyers intervened.
Ryan Howard insisted on getting behind the wheel at 4.30am despite him downing alcohol the previous night, and raced at 75mph past Goodison Park on a shockingly dangerous journey home.
The 27-year-old's BMW careered straight through a red light on the East Lancs Road in Croxteth, touching 83mph, before smashing into a Ford Mondeo taxi driven by Dave Sherwin, 51.
He was taking mum-of-two Michelle Jennings to her work at Greggs on Bold Street, at about 5am, in February 2019, and the 35-year-old tragically suffered fatal injuries.
Mr Sherwin, a dad-of-one, died after a two-week hospital battle.
Today, the ECHO has learnt that Howard could have his nine year prison sentence increased after a rare move by the Solicitor General.
Michael Ellis has agreed with a submission the St Helens man's punishment was "too lenient" and he has asked the Court of Appeal to reconsider.
The sentence handed down at Liverpool Crown Court, at the end of April, could now be lengthened when it reaches the High Court in London.
Three judges from the Court of Appeal will listen to arguments on both sides, on a date yet to be fixed, and make a final judgement.
It is fairly rare for the Solicitor General to intervene after sentencing decision and he will only do so in very serious cases like murder, manslaughter, serious assault and driving matters, sexual offences, terrorism and drug dealing.
The Attorney General or Solicitor General can refer cases for appeal if an objection is made, which can come from police, the prosecution team, the victim's family, or another interested member of the public.
In Howard's case, it has not been disclosed who made the complaint.
The boozed-up driver, condemned as "selfish and reckless" by the grieving families whose loved ones he killed, tried to cynically pin the blame on cabbie Mr Sherwin.
But those claims were discredited during the investigation.
He would tell police he had no recollection of the crash or who was driving, but his DNA was found on the airbag.
Howard later admitted counts of causing death by dangerous driving and was handed nine years in jail, for which he could serve half, and a nine year driving ban.
Jailing him, Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said cases of dangerous driving "do not get much worse than this."
Howard had driven to Liverpool the previous night, drinking in pubs and clubs all night, before insisting to a friend he would drive home.
As he approached traffic lights on the junction of East Lancashire Road and Bridgehouse Lane in Croxteth, Howard accelerated through a red traffic light moments before smashing into very experienced Mr Sherwin's taxi who had no chance to take evasive action.
Howard took the Fazakerley mum Michelle from her devastated family, including husband Ged, five-year-old daughter Sophia, and her son Harry, aged seven.
"Strong as an ox" Mr Sherwin, from Kirkby, was taken from wife, Heather, and daughter, Kirsty.
Mr Jennings has spoken of the moment he had to tell his young children their mum was never coming back.
The dad said: "My life has changed immeasurably and the lives of my kids will never be the same.
"I lost my best friend and the world has lost a shining star."
Mr Sherwin's daughter Kirsty said Howard had made "selfish choices" which would affect her, her mother, who has multiple sclerosis, for the rest of their lives.
She said: "It is because of his recklessness that my dad will never be there to walk me down the aisle."
Howard's lawyer, at the time trying to mitigate his client's sentence, claimed he had "profound remorse and regret."
