The case of a killer hit-and-run driver who was jailed for 18 months for mowing down a Birmingham University student is being re-examined with a view to an appeal, the Crown Prosecution Service said yesterday.

Senior prosecutors in Birmingham are reviewing the case of Jaswinder Singh, who was jailed on Monday for causing the death of Abigail Craen by dangerous driving.

The sentence, which could see Singh released in four months because of time served on remand, was branded an "insult" by the 20-year-old victim's mother, Susan.

The CPS has seven days after sentence to lodge an appeal.

A spokesman for the CPS in the West Midlands said yesterday: "We still have several days to lodge an appeal if it (the sentence) is seen to be unduly lenient.

"Our senior lawyers are talking with the prosecution counsel to decide whether to appeal.

"They will review the facts of the case, the judge's comments and sentencing guidelines."

A report will be handed to the West Midlands Chief Crown Prosecutor, David Blundell, who will then decide whether it is strong enough to send to the Attorney General.

Factors the report is likely to hinge on are Singh's previous conviction and his failure to notify police and emergency services of the accident, a ccording to the CPS spokesman.

Mrs Craen wept as the sentence was read out in Birmingham Crown Court. After the case she said: "The sentence is an insult to her. She is dead and the man who killed her has a small interruption in his life.

"This is no deterrent or punishment."

Miss Craen, originally from Liss, Hampshire, was only five weeks into her medical course at Birmingham University when she was hit on a pelican crossing near halls of residence in Pershore Road.

She was thrown nearly 100ft (30 metres) by the impact but the driver did not stop.

Hospital tests showed she suffered irreversible brain injuries and died the next day.

Singh, of Ward End, Birmingham, said he did not stop because he had no insurance.

He pleaded guilty in January to dangerous driving, fail-ing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident a nd driving without insurance.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins also banned Singh from driving for four years.

It also emerged he had been given back his licence only months before the accident following a 12-month disqualification for drink-driving. ..SUPL: