KILLER drivers will face up to life in prison under new sentencing rules coming into force from Tuesday - following a campaign in memory of Violet-Grace Youens.
As the Star reported last month, judges will be able to hand down life sentences to dangerous drivers who kill and careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs.
The new sentencing regime far exceeds the previous maximum penalty of 14 years.
Campaigners describe the change in sentencing rules as a victory for Violet's Law following the death of four-year-old Violet-Grace Youens in St Helens in March 2017.
The change comes into effect on Tuesday as a result of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act.
The reforms will also create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, meaning those who inflict long-term or permanent injuries also face tougher sentences.
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab said: “Too many lives have been lost to reckless behaviour behind the wheel, devastating families.
“We have changed the law so that those responsible will now face the possibility of life behind bars.”
Violet-Grace Youens' parents Glen and Becky had fought a long and high-profile campaign for a change in the law.
After a prolonged wait for approval, due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill has received Royal Assent this year.
Part of the new law means that the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving has increased from 14 years to life.
It is now for judges and magistrates to decide how they will implement this legislation.
A Sentencing Council spokeswoman told the Star last month that the increase to life for causing death by dangerous driving comes into force on June 28, 2022.
She added: “The change to the maximum penalty will apply only to offences committed on or after the date it comes into force”.
The new legislation sets out the maximum penalties for offences and the Sentencing Council develops sentencing guidelines in reference to the legislation.
Speaking to the Star in May, Violet’s dad Glenn Youens, who lives in Eccleston, said: "We are so proud of Violet anyway but to know that this fight has now led to a law change, and that she is part of that, it really helps.
“It makes this fight we’ve had worth it.
“What we want is for this law to make a difference, it is now for judges and magistrates to actually use this now, so people who go through what we did can finally have the justice they deserve.
“The people in this town supported us ever since that horrible day, as did Marie Rimmer and the St Helens Star as well.
“We now just was to make sure that CPS (The Crown Prosecution Service) and the justice system bring this in now, that they use this new law and give the maximum sentence. It won’t help us, but knowing it will help others helps us.
“This is Violet’s legacy. And we are so proud of that.”
On March 24, 2017, Violet-Grace Youens, from Eccleston, was just four-years-old when she died after being struck on Prescot Road, St Helens by a stolen car travelling at 83mph.
Aidan McAteer, the man behind the wheel of the car that killed her, was jailed for nine years and four months, but her parents say the sentence was not long enough.
He was released from jail shortly before the new year, with Violet's parents Glenn and Becky expressing their "hurt and anger" at the news.
The previous sentencing guidelines for someone convicted of causing death by dangerous driving state the maximum jail term is 14 years.
Furious with the limitations of the previous sentencing guidelines, Glenn and Becky Youens led a campaign calling for life sentences for dangerous drivers who kill, with a minimum term of 15 years.
The campaign for Violet's Law had tremendous backing both in St Helens and nationally, garnering more than more than 160,000 signatures.
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