Another bereaved mum calls for life sentences for killer drivers
The Government made promises three years ago
Last updated 9th Jul 2020
The sentence handed down to a drink driver who killed a young man as he crossed the road in Lancashire has prompted yet more calls for the Government to bring in stiffer sentences.
24-year-old Kristian Johnson was crossing Market Street in Bacup last June when he was hit by a car. The driver, Emily Rogers, who was 19 at the time, was more than twice the legal limit. She admitted causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, and was sentenced to three years in a young offenders institute - but will only serve 18 months there.
Kristian’s mum, Paula Johnson, is now launching a campaign called 'Kristian Johnson's Law' to bring about stiffer sentences for killer drivers.
She's been speaking to us about the impact losing Kristian, her only son, has had:
Well the Government did announce back in October 2017, following our Justice for Joseph campaign, to bring in life sentences, but is yet to take action. 25-year-old Joseph Brown-Lartey from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was killed when speeding driver Addil Haroon ran a red light at 80mph in a 30 zone in November 2014. He was given six years for causing death by dangerous driving, but served just under three years.
Liz McInnes was MP for Heywood and Middleton when she led our Justice for Joseph Campaign. She says, "It makes me feel so sad when I see families going through this heartache over and over again, and it is time the Government did something about it."
Former Prime Minister Theresa May now wants to introduce the Death By Dangerous Driving (Sentencing) Bill to the House of Commons.
This would amend existing 1988 legislation to increase the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life imprisonment. Offenders who caused death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs would have also faced a life sentence under the plan which was reviewed and consulted upon by Mrs May's government.
But the commitment was not acted upon and earlier this year Mrs May pressed Boris Johnson's Government to follow through on the policy.
The Conservative MP for Maidenhead told the Commons in January: One of the areas of sentencing policy that has already been reviewed and consulted on is the whole question of death by dangerous driving, particularly when drugs are involved, such as in the tragic case of my constituent Bryony Hollands.
The previous government committed to legislate on this issue to lengthen sentences in certain circumstances. This is not in the Queen's Speech. Is this Government committed to legislate and, if so, when?''
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland replied: I want to get on with it. The commitment remains absolutely crystal clear. I very much hope that we can have a vehicle to do that.
I am going to be doing a sentencing Bill this year - that could be one vehicle. I want to get on with this as soon as possible. We will have the time and the support of the Government to change the law in the right direction.''
Mrs May will use the 10-minute rule motion procedure to try and introduce her Bill, which is scheduled to be heard on July 21.
If successful on that day, the Bill will have several stages to clear before it becomes law but could be aided by Government backing.