Sign our 'Justice for Joseph' Petition ahead of trip to Downing Street
KEY 103's secured a date with Downing Street to get dangerous drivers locked up for longer.
On the 9th November 2014 Joseph Brown-Lartey's life was tragically ended when dangerous driver Addil Haroon sped through a red light and smashed into his car, splitting it in two.
The collision happened at the crossroads between Sandy Lane and Bury Road, shortly before 4.40am. Haroon, 19, in a hired Audi A6, ploughed into Joseph's Audi killing him instantly.
Just 24 hours earlier Haroon, also from Rochdale, bragged about doing 142mph on the M62 by posting a picture on a Snapchat message to a friend - which read “Leeds to Rochdale in 11 minutes. Catch me.”
When the case went to court it was revealed the £20,000 Audi A6 which Haroon was driving had been hired using another man’s driving licence, which was reported stolen.
The 18-year-old only had a provisional licence and tried to flee the scene in a taxi after the smash, repeatedly denying to police that he was at the wheel. It was his friends who later told police the truth and officers also found his DNA on the airbag.
He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, driving while unlicenced and driving while uninsured.
He was sentenced to six years.
"A further slap in the face"
Joseph's parents Ian and Dawn describe that sentence as a further slap in the face. The Attorney General was asked to launch a review on the grounds that it was unduly lenient, but no further action was taken due to the sentence falling within the current guidelines.
After meeting our Chief Reporter Michelle Livesey Mr and Mrs Brown-Lartey launched a 'Justice for Joseph' campaign, calling on the Government to review the sentencing guidelines for all road crimes.
VIDEO: Ian and Dawn Brown-Lartey on why there needs to be a change in the law:
We've since had the backing from Road Safety Charity BRAKE, and numerous MPs across the Country, including Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes who is championing the campaign in Parliament, alongside Leeds MP Greg Mulholland.
Joseph's girlfriend Amelia Drogan launched a petition in aftermath of his death which attracted thousands of signitures, all calling for sentences for road crimes to be tightened.
We want to take those signitures, along with the hundreds more added to our petition.
To add your name please go to: