A DRUG dealer and banned driver who ran over and killed a Blackburn grandmother is appealing his sentence.

Salim Chand, 27, was jailed for nine years in March for causing the death of Freda Holt by dangerous driving in Revidge Road, Blackburn last November.

He has already tried to lodge an appeal with the Royal Courts of Justice.

That application was rejected, but his counsel has appealed that decision in a bid to get him a hearing at the Royal Court of Appeal in London.

A judge will decide whether to grant him permission to appeal on October 10.

Mrs Holt’s husband Ray said: “I’ve received letters informing me of his entitlement to appeal. We are expecting him to be released in May 2015, because he will have served half of his nine year sentence.

“But if his appeal is successful, it could be even sooner.

“I was quite prepared to go down to London for the hearing because I want to have my say.”

Despite being disqualified, Chand was driving a hired £70,000 Mercedes C63 at speeds up to 70mph when he ploughed into Mrs Holt, a devout churchgoer, outside her home on the morning of November 8.

He was on bail for a charge of dealing cannabis at the time and had a string of motoring convictions.

Chand gave his address in court as Iddesleigh Road, Preston, but is originally from Revidge Road, Blackburn.

Mr Holt added: “I have to walk past his house every day.

“If his sentence is cut and he is released early, I don’t want to have to see him back at home as a reminder.”