Drivers who cause death by dangerous driving face life sentences under shake-up

Drivers who cause death by dangerous driving could face life sentences, under plans expected to be unveiled next week.

“Violet-Grace’s law,” named after the four-year-old killed by a speeding driver in a stolen car, would increase the maximum sentence for causing death by speeding, racing or using a mobile phone from 14 years to life.

The change, expected to be part of a proposed shake-up of sentencing in a White Paper on Wednesday,  would put the offence on a par with manslaughter.

It follows a campaign by MPs including former Prime Minister Theresa May and the family of Violet-Grace Youens, who died when Aidan McAteer, 23, mounted the pavement in a Ford Fiesta stolen from a community worker who helped rehabilitate young offenders in Merseyside.

It had gone through two red lights and past a police car before McAteer, who did not have a driving licence, lost control, hit a kerb, then crashed into Angela French who had her granddaughter, Violet-Grace, in her arms.

He fled to Amsterdam but later admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for nine years four months in 2017, meaning he could be freed next year. Dean Brennan, a passenger in the car, was jailed for six years eight months after admitting stealing the car and assisting McAteer.

Marie Rimmer, the St Helens MP who has campaigned with the family, told The Telegraph: “A new law doesn’t bring Violet-Grace back but what the family want more than anything is that other families don’t suffer loss like they have, that other other children don’t lose their lives.

“There has been enough talk and discussion on this issue, now is the time for action. The sentences for killer drivers have been far too lenient for far too long. It’s time for the punishment to fit the crime.”

Ms May introduced a private members’ bill to press for the change including raising the maximum sentence for causing death by driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years to life.

She said she wanted to “get justice for those victims who have tragically died as a result of somebody else’s dangerous driving.”

It followed the case of her constituent, Bryony Hollands, 19, who was killed when a driver high on drugs and nearly three times the limit mounted the pavement, hitting Bryony and her boyfriend Ben. Thomas Burney, 26, the driver, was sentenced to eight years in prison.

The White Paper will also propose offenders guilty of violent or sex crimes face longer in jail. Anyone jailed for four or more  years for sex assaults or violence will have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence before seeking parole. At present, they are automatically released at halfway.

Serial burglars will face at least three years in jail. The white paper is expected to tighten the rules to force judges to apply the “three strikes” rule under which burglars will get a minimum three year prison sentence after their third offence.

At present, three quarters of “three strikes” offenders are escaping terms of three years or more and ministers are concerned it should be limited to only those in “exceptional circumstances.”

The White Paper is also expected to propose prisoners who pose a terror threat will have to remain behind bars beyond their normal release date.

Inmates jailed for non terror offences who are feared to hold extremist sympathies could be refused the right to automatic release at the halfway point in their sentences and instead made subject to parole at the two-thirds point.

A proposal to end “discounted” sentences for killers who plead guilty is, however, expected to be shelved. At present, offenders accused of murder or manslaughter can get a third off their sentence if they plead guilty even if they are “bang to rights” and playing the system.

The changes will enact the pledge in the Conservative 2019 manifesto to “introduce tougher sentencing for the worst offenders and end automatic halfway release from prison for serious crimes.”

But it will be balanced by a move to treat more low-level criminals in the community by ramping up addiction treatment and rehabilitation schemes with wider use of electronic GPS tagging to protect the public.

Number 10 are also studying plans to set targets towards ensuring all prisoners are released with accommodation to go to, a job or training and addiction treatment where required. Figures show 80 per cent of crime is committed through reoffending.