MP keeps up fight for tougher sentencing

MP LIZ McInnes says it’s ‘time for the government to act’ and bring in tougher sentences for killer drivers.

She is one of eight MPs who have written to Justice Secretary David Gauke urging him to announce details of proposed changes to sentences for those convicted of death by dangerous driving.

Heywood and Middleton MP Ms McInnes, whose constituency includes Castleton, Bamford and Norden, is a vocal supporter of the Justice for Joseph campaign, which has pushed for changes to the law in memory of Joseph Brown-Lartey.

Joseph, 25, from Marland, was killed instantly when the hired Audi A6 being driven by 19-year-old Addil Haroon ran a red light at the junction of Sandy Lane and Bury Road in November 2014.

Haroon was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The sentence sparked outrage and led to the launch of the ‘Justice for Joseph’ campaign which called for tougher sentences for killer drivers.

Ms McInnes was awarded the ‘Parliamentarian of the Year’ award in 2016 by the road safety charity Brake for her work on the issue.

The government held a public consultation which ended in February 2017, and in October last year they announced their intention to introduce tougher sentences.

But since then Ministers have not announced when they intend to change the law.

Ms McInnes said: “We were all pleased last October when the government finally announced that they would introduce tougher sentences, but four months later we are still waiting for ●●In 2016 MP Liz McInnes and Tony Lloyd (now Rochdale MP) joined Ian and Dawn Brown-Lartey (parents of Joseph Brown-Lartey) to present a petition for stiffer sentences for drivers who kill at 10 Downing Street it to happen. I will keep fighting until the law changes. Joseph BrownLartey’s parents Ian and Dawn have fought so hard, and they and other campaigners have waited long enough. It’s time for the government to act.”

In October Ministers said drivers who caused death by speeding, racing or using a mobile phone could face sentences equivalent to manslaughter, with maximum penalties raised from 14 years to life. Legislation required for the measures was expected to be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time allowed.

Speaking at the time Justice Minister Dominic Raab said: “We’ve taken a long hard look at driving sentences, and we received 9,000 submissions to our consultation.

“Based on the seriousness of the worst cases, the anguish of the victims’ families, and maximum penalties for other serious offences such as manslaughter, we intend to introduce life sentences of imprisonment for those who wreck lives by driving dangerously, drunk or high on drugs.”