Grieving dad welcoming life term for killer drivers
ADAD has welcomed a new law that means that speeding drivers like the one who killed his son could now face life sentences.
Joseph Brown-Lartey, 25, died in 2014 when an Audi A6 being driven by Addil Haroon ran a red light at 80mph at a busy crossroads and smashed into him.
The previous night Haroon had bragged on Snapchat of doing 142mph on the M62 from Leeds to Rochdale.
Joseph, who worked in advertising and marketing, died instantly of multiple injuries.
The force of the crash in November 2014 was so severe his car split into two.
Police officers who attended the scene on Bury Road in Rochdale said it was the worst smash they had ever seen on an urban street.
Haroon, who only had a provisional licence, 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.
Following the decision Joseph’s parents Ian and Dawn set up the Justice for Joseph campaign.
Backed by the radio station Key 103, road safety charity Brake and then Heywood and Middleton MP Liz McInnes it called on the government to introduce tougher sentences for killer dirvers.
New legislation announced on Monday means drivers who kill others after speeding, racing or using a phone could receive life sentences.
Those who cause death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs could also get a life sentence.
Each crime has a current maximum sentence of 14 years.
The new sentences could be introduced early next year.
Mr Brown-Lartey told the Observer: “The bottom line is we are very happy to hear that finally we are getting somewhere.
“But we are being very cautious - we do not want any more empty promises.
“There are still far too many deaths on the road.
“We need to get to the position where the legislation and the law act as a deterrent and reduce unnecessary deaths.
“It’s not just about the lives that are lost, it’s also about the emergency services who have to deal these things too and everybody forgets about them.
“We are the ones who have to live with it everyday. You never get away from it.
“We have to try to live our lives, but it’s never the same once something like this happens.
“It has to happen to to try to avoid people experiencing the things we have to deal with.”
The proposed change was announced in 2017.
Justice Secretary Robert law first
Buckland said: “This government has been clear that punishments must fit the crime, but too often families tell us this isn’t the case with killer drivers.
“So, today I am announcing that we will bring forward legislation early next year to introduce life sentences for dangerous drivers who kill on our roads, and ensure they feel the full force of the law.”