Life sentences for drivers welcomed
A FAMILY have welcomed the news that speeding drivers like the one who killed their son could now be hit with life sentences.
Joseph Brown-Lartey, 25, died when an Audi A6 being driven by Addil Haroon ran a red light at 80mph at a busy crossroads and ploughed into him.
Haroon, had bragged the previous night on the mobile phone app Snapchat of doing 142mph on the M62 from Leeds to Rochdale.
The force of the crash in November 2014 was so severe Joseph died instantly of multiple injuries and his car split into two.
Police said it was the worst crash they had seen on an urban street.
Haroon was jailed for six years for causing death by dangerous driving, and told he would likely serve just three with the rest on licence, something the family felt was insufficient.
It was referred to the Attorney General. However, he ruled it was not “unduly lenient” and was in line with current guidelines.
His parents Ian and Dawn BrownLartey, backed by road safety charity Brake and Key 103 radio, launched the Justice for Joseph campaign, lobbying for the maximum sentences to be increased in cases like their son’s.
It included them taking the wreckage of Joseph’s mangled car to London and putting it on display outside the Houses of Parliament and also delivering a petition with over 20,000 signatures to Downing Street.
And they are celebrating victory after the Ministry of Justice announced major reforms to the driving laws, citing Joseph’s case.
The changes include increasing the maximum sentence from 14 years to life in prison for those who cause death by dangerous driving in line with manslaughter.
Offenders who have caused a death by speeding, racing, or using a mobile phone could face the ultimate penalty under the new guidelines. The same applies for careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs.
A new a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will also be created. Joseph’s dad Ian Brown-Lartey said: “It’s amazing. We’ve fought so hard to get to this point and we’re just delighted the government have listened to us and the public.
“It can be so difficult, after losing someone, being sat in the courtroom that’s meant to be defending you, and you see a lenient sentence handed down. It’s so disheartening.
“We knew ourselves or Joseph wouldn’t benefit from this, we were entirely focussed and making sure no one else has to go through what we have. As it will act as a big deterrent.”